Hi--Check out my December book picks for PowerfulLatinas.com. This month's theme
is La Anciana/The Wise Woman:

http://www.powerfullatinas.com/december-recommendations

Enjoy!
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – 12/09: Best of 2009

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. The Latinidad List
3. Upcoming Workshops: Before You Send It Out
4. Resources: $2000 Summer Poetry Residency
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT

"I first heard Marcela speak at a seminar she gave on the publishing
industry. I was very impressed with her knowledge and canny insights
into a business that often seems confusing, especially to a new author.
We spoke briefly about an issue that was stalling me, and her perceptive
response encouraged me to set up a phone consultation with her.
During that consultation, she gave fantastic advice and encouraged me
to take the difficult but appropriate steps necessary to resolve my
problems. We also had a tremendous discussion about the publishing
industry as it related to my situation, and I learned more in that hour
than I have in many lengthy workshops on the industry. I followed
Marcela's advice, and had a great outcome. I really appreciated the
opportunity to work with her."
--Vanessa Kelly, author of Mastering the Marquess
http://www.vanessakellyauthor.com/

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos

Almost any occasion is an excuse to buy a book as a gift: birthdays,
weddings, and, of course, the upcoming holidays. Before you rush off to
Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com, I urge you to do your holiday shopping
at La Casa Azul Bookstore by visiting:

http://www.lacasaazulbookstore.com/

With every book, CD, or DVD you buy there you're supporting not only
an individual artist but the Latino publishing community at large. Need
gift ideas? Check out this year's Latinidad List. To nominate a book for
next year's list, please e-mail me at marcelalandres@...; note
that I'm seeking nominations only for books to be published in 2010.

Helping Latinos get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. The Latinidad List

Literary Fiction – Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea
Simple prose and easy humor belie a substantial story with a political edge.

Poetry – Bird Eating Bird by Kristin Naca
Expands and embraces the possibilities of language.

Chick Lit – B as in Beauty by Alberto Ferreras
Sexy, laugh-out-loud chronicle of a big girl who learns to love her curves.

Short Story Collection – How to Leave Hialeah by Jennine Capo Crucet
A smart and smart-mouthed writer to watch.

Mystery – G.I Bones by Martin Limon
An historical page-turner with a keen eye and ear for detail.

Memoir – Havana and Other Missing Fathers by Mia Leonin
Absorbing and beautiful account of the author's search for truth and love.

Self-Help – Parents Who Cheat by Ana Nogales
Think your parent's infidelity didn't affect you? Think again.

Cookbook – Simply Mexican by Lourdes Castro
Even a novice can quickly master these refreshingly well-written recipes.

Young Adult – Riding the Universe by Gaby Triana
The ultra-fabacious story of a clever girl and confusing boys.

Middle Grade – Confetti Girl by Diana Lopez
Warm, heartbreaking tale of a motherless girl and her absent-minded father.

3. Upcoming Workshops

WHAT: Before You Send It Out Workshop

Agents and editors don't have time to read entire manuscripts. So how
do they choose which writers they want to work with? Proposals.
Regardless of whether you have a book for adults or children, in fiction
or nonfiction, you need a strong proposal. But while many writers
invest a significant amount of time, energy and money in crafting their
manuscripts, few know how to compose a proper proposal. In this class,
you will learn:

* Why 90% of submissions are rejected based on the cover letter alone
* The single most reliable—and free!—resource for finding a good agent
* Three common, yet easily avoidable, mistakes writers make
* A proposal's true purpose (hint: it's not to demonstrate talent)

WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Unicorn Writers' Conference, Oronoque Country Club, Stratford, CT

REGISTER: http://www.unicornwritersconference.com/

List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
$2000 SUMMER POETRY RESIDENCY
Deadline: January 15
A one-month residency, which includes a $2000 honorarium, is given to a
poet who is working on a manuscript. For more information, visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/english/mfa/SPiR.html
*****
WRITING SEMINAR
Date: December 12
Cost: $85, limited to 15 people
Bestselling author Karen E. Quinones Miller offers a writing seminar in
Philadelphia, PA which discusses: getting started, point of view, character
development, story structure, overcoming writer's block, etc. To register,
e-mail authorkeqm@...
*****
$2000 CREATIVE NONFICTION AWARD
Deadline: December 31
A prize of $2000 is given to enable a creative nonfiction writer to write
in a desert environment. For more information, visit
http://www.ellenmeloy.com/
*****
CRAFTY CHICA SEEKS SEWING STORIES
Deadline: January 4
Kathy Cano-Murillo, a.k.a. The Crafty Chica, seeks very short—about a
paragraph long--true sewing stories such as a favorite memory, a
favorite book that has sewing in it, a lesson learned, etc. Selected
stories will be included in her upcoming sewing book to be published
by Random House. Submit stories, your name, age, and city you live in
to http://craftychica.com/contact/. For more information about Kathy,
visit http://www.craftychica.com/.
*****
LATINO POETRY AWARD
Deadline: January 15
The Andres Montoya Poetry Prize offers $1000 and publication by the
University of Notre Dame Press for a poetry collection by a Latino poet
who has not yet published a book. For more information, visit
http://latinostudies.nd.edu/poetry_prize/
*****
THE PACIFIC REVIEW SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
Deadline: January 15
Seeking one-act plays, personal essays, memoirs, prose, and stories.
For more information, visit http://english.csusb.edu/pacrevcon.html
*****
WRITERS STUDIO CONFERENCE
Dates: February 4-7
Intensive four day workshops with fiction writers Maria Amparo Escandon
and David Borofka and creative nonfiction writers Barbara Abercrombie
and Samantha Dunn. For more information, visit
http://www2.uclaextension.edu/writers/
*****
SIMON & SCHUSTER SEEKS INTERNS
Simon & Schuster seeks interns for their Human Resources and Publicity
departments. For more information, visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/jobs.html
*****
MOMFINDS.COM SEEKS SENIOR EDITOR
New York based shopping editorial website is looking for a super stylish
mom with online experience and an iPhone full of kids' product insiders,
PR contacts, and influential mom bloggers to prove it. For more
information, visit http://tinyurl.com/yfs7sf4
*****
SHEFINDS.COM SEEKS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
SheFinds.com, a major shopping site about fashion and beauty, needs
an Editorial Assistant to help with researching, writing, editing, and
general website maintenance. This is a F/T paid position in Manhattan
that starts ASAP. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/y8to9wr
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"Do give books--religious or otherwise--for Christmas. They're never
fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal."
--Lenore Hershey

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Marcela-Landres/567699306
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

WHAT: Before You Send It Out Workshop
Agents and editors don't have time to read entire manuscripts. So how
do they choose which writers they want to work with? Proposals.
Regardless of whether you have a book for adults or children, in fiction
or nonfiction, you need a strong proposal. But while many writers
invest a significant amount of time, energy and money in crafting their
manuscripts, few know how to compose a proper proposal. In this class,
you will learn:

* Why 90% of submissions are rejected based on the cover letter alone
* The single most reliable—and free!—resource for finding a good agent
* Three common, yet easily avoidable, mistakes writers make
* A proposal's true purpose (hint: it's not to demonstrate talent)

WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Unicorn Writers' Conference, Oronoque Country Club, Stratford, CT

WHO: Marcela Landres is the author of the e-book How Editors Think:
The Real Reason They Rejected You, publishes the award-winning e-zine
Latinidad, and is an Editorial Consultant who helps writers get published by
editing their work and educating them on the business side of publishing.
A member of the Women's Media Group, she has acted as a judge for the
PEN/Beyond Margins Award, and was formerly an editor with Simon & Schuster. 

REGISTER: http://www.unicornwritersconference.com/ 

TESTIMONIAL: "I just wanted to thank you sincerely for the great presentation
you provided us `Virgins' at your work shop. I found the advice you gave us
to be very poignant as well as inspiring. The personal consultation was more
than I imagined. Honestly, it was worth every penny and so much more. I can
only imagine it must have been tiring to provided all those people personal
consultations. I was a little worried about being last, and of course
ridiculously nervous. I feel that you told us what we needed to hear, and I
found that very refreshing. As my Dad use to say `quit blowing on the fur
and get to the hide' and so you did, and we are all the better for it. I feel
far more confident about my endeavor to effectively navigate my way to
success. I know that success will be entirely up to me, and my persistence,
but also knowing what to bring to the table when the right opportunity
presents itself is a truly invaluable nugget of information. Again sincerely
many, many thanks."--Patrick B Oviedo Jr.

***********************************************************
For a list of all my upcoming workshops, visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
***********************************************************

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Marcela-Landres/567699306
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Hi--Check out my November book picks for PowerfulLatinas.com. This month's theme
is La Hermana:

http://www.powerfullatinas.com/november-recommedations

Enjoy!
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – 11/09: La Casa Azul Bookstore

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Aurora Anaya-Cerda
3. Upcoming Workshops: Before You Send It Out
4. Resources: $3250 Fall Fiction Contest
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"Marcela Landres has been a great help to me. I was able to strategize
about my writing career with her in a way that I have never done
before. She is insightful and honest, and that's all any writer could
ask of an editor. Her line editing of my novel manuscript was
meticulous, and I was able to revamp my writing to make it better.
Marcela, you truly are a great resource for any writer, but I appreciate
your help for Latino writers in particular. It was invaluable."
--Sergio Troncoso, author of The Nature of Truth and The Last
Tortilla & Other Stories, http://www.sergiotroncoso.com/

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Most of us aren’t lucky enough to have a brick and mortar Latino bookstore
in our neighborhoods. Thanks to Aurora Anaya-Cerda, now you have the
online equivalent: La Casa Azul, http://www.lacasaazulbookstore.com/.
Whether you are already published or aspire to be, it is critical to your
writing career to shop at Latino booksellers because they are more likely to
support Latino authors in the long term than non-Latino bookstores. The
next time you buy a book (or CD or DVD), ask yourself: Do I want to give my
money to the gringos behind Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com, or to the
Latina behind La Casa Azul? To learn more, read this month’s Q&A with Aurora.

Helping Latinos get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Aurora Anaya-Cerda is the owner of an online bookstore, La Casa Azul
Bookstore, which she founded in 2008. She had been featured in American
Latino TV, the New York Daily News, and La Bloga. A member of the Young
Hispanic Leaders Program, she is the recipient of the Juanita Centeno
Leadership Award, the UCLA Women for Change Leadership Award, and a
scholarship from the New Start Fund that is awarded to women entrepreneurs
in New York City. For more information, visit
http://www.lacasaazulbookstore.com/

Q: What inspired you to open La Casa Azul bookstore?
A:  The idea of opening a bookstore came while I was in college. I
contemplated the idea, but did other things before making the decision to
open La Casa Azul Bookstore. It wasn't until I moved to East Harlem from East
Los Angeles that I decided to make the dream a reality. I enrolled in a business
course and immersed myself in the book industry world; soon I was so
motivated and determined to open the bookstore that there was no going back.

I chose East Harlem because I loved everything about it, its culture, art,
music and energy overall. There are not enough venues in the community
that promote Latino literature. As an online store, I connect writers and
readers on a virtual level with the e-newsletter. But when La Casa Azul
Bookstore opens as a storefront it will complement other businesses that
already exist in East Harlem, adding a Chicana twist to the color, flavor, and
culture of the neighborhood.

Q: As one of the few Latina bookstore owners in the U.S., you have a unique
perspective on the book business. What are your impressions of the current
publishing landscape in general, and on Latino publishing in particular?
A: The more I learn about the book industry, the more committed I am to
opening La Casa Azul Bookstore as a brick and mortar. I would like to see
publishing companies promote and feature more Latino writers, but until that
happens I am going to continue featuring them at my book clubs, readings,
and online. I use my platform as a bookseller and promoter of Latino writers
to educate people, let them know the importance of supporting both
established and new writers. I am also a strong advocate for communities to
support their local businesses, and I speak about that often because
independent bookstores are vital in all neighborhoods. They are the cultural
hub and the place where book lovers of all ages can come together.

Q: How can authors partner with bookstores to help sell their own books?
A: My advice is to contact local/independent bookstores. If you are
self-published, you have to do some legwork, if you have a publicist make
sure he/she books readings at local bookstores too! If you have a book tour,
consider adding independent bookstores to the roster. Booklovers love
meeting writers, and in the intimate setting of an indie bookstore, both the
authors and the audience have a better experience. It's also a great way to
keep indies alive!

Q: For those people who dream of opening their own bookstore one day,
what advice would you offer?
A: You have to love what you do! No matter what your passion is, you have
to know that along with the fun and rewards also comes responsibility,
commitment, and long hours. You also have to do your homework, know as
much about the industry as possible in order to determine if this is right for
you.

Q: Other than buying books, music CDs, and movie DVDs from the online
store, how can we support La Casa Azul?
A: Yes, buying book, CDs and DVDs online is a great way to support La
Casa Azul Bookstore but you can also:
      * Be a part of the Founding Familia as a bookstore investor
      * Purchase books for your school library or classroom from La Casa
Azul Bookstore
      * Host a book reading at your school, organization, or club
      * Invite La Casa Azul Bookstore to your school book fair or
parent/teacher night
      * Attend the Barrio Book Club held on the second Tuesday of the
month at El Museo del Barrio
      * Sign up for the store e-newsletter
      * Tell everyone you know about La Casa Azul Bookstore!

Q: If authors, publicists, or publishing companies are interested in having
an event hosted by La Casa Azul, how should they contact you?
A: Aurora Anaya-Cerda
La Casa Azul Bookstore
Website: http://www.lacasaazulbookstore.com/
E-mail: lacasaazulbookstore@...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lacasaazulbookstore
Phone: 646-413-5251

3. Upcoming Workshops
WHAT: Before You Send It Out Workshop
Agents and editors don't have time to read entire manuscripts. So how do
they choose which writers they want to work with? Proposals. Regardless of
whether you have a book for adults or children, in fiction or nonfiction,
you need a strong proposal. But while many writers invest a significant
amount of time, energy, and money in crafting their manuscripts, few
know how to compose a proper proposal. In this class, you will learn:
      * Why 90% of submissions are rejected based on the cover letter alone
      * The single most reliable—and free!—resource for finding a good agent
      * Three common, yet easily avoidable, mistakes writers make
      * A proposal's true purpose (hint: it's not to demonstrate talent)
WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Unicorn Writers' Conference, Oronoque Country Club, Stratford, CT
REGISTER: http://www.unicornwritersconference.com/

List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
$3250 FALL FICTION CONTEST
Deadline: November 30
Narrative magazine is seeking short shorts, short stories, essays,
memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction,
and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. For more
information, visit http://narrativemagazine.com/
*****
ANJANETTE DELGADO VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR
Dates: November 9-20
Anjanette Delgado, author of Heartbreak Pill, will be the next star
of the BronzeWord Latino Virtual Book Tour. Join the fun and visit
each day, leave a comment to win an autographed copy of Heartbreak
Pill. For more information, visit http://authorslatino.com/wordpress/
*****
WRITEGIRL SEEKS MENTORS AND VOLUNTEERS
Deadline: November 10
WriteGirl is looking for women of diverse professional backgrounds to
be mentors and volunteers for their creative writing workshops for teen
girls. For more information, visit http://www.writegirl.org/
*****
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH ABUNDANCE
Date: November 12
Ana Nogales, author of Latina Power, offers wisdom and advice on
behavioral finance. Sponsored by the National Hispanic Business Women
Association in Orange, CA. For more information, call 714-836-4042
or e-mail info@....
*****
PEN/BEYOND MARGINS AWARDS
Deadline: December 14
$1000 is given to writers of color of fiction, literary nonfiction,
biography/memoir, and other works of literary character. U.S. residency
or citizenship is not required. For more information, visit:
http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/280
*****
BUZZ YOUR BOOK ONLINE CLASS
Dates: January 11 - February 19
By the end of the "Buzz Your Book" class, you will have a customized
marketing plan for your book and your book only. Authors from
MacAdam/Case, Ballantine, Penguin and SMP have taken this class, as well
as publicists and editors from Tor, Wylie and Simon & Schuster. For more
information, please visit http://www.bksp.org/content/view/141/2/
*****
BORDERLANDS CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Guest Editor: Liliana Valenzuela
Deadline: January 15
Borderlands is currently accepting poetry, as well as poetry in translation
from any language into English or from English into Spanish. Submissions
must include the original and the translation, as well as a brief introduction
(under 250 words) describing the context of the piece, including something
about the author, and any special translation challenges. Translators are
responsible for securing copyright permission. For more information,
please visit http://www.borderlands.org/
*****
BREAD LOAF WRITERS CONFERENCE
Financial Aid Application Deadline: March 1
General Application Deadline: March 19
Dates: August 11-21
The Bread Loaf Writers' Conference is one of America's most valuable
literary institutions. The annual conference includes lectures, craft classes,
and meetings with editors and agents, readings by faculty and guests, and
workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Writers who have
attended in the past include Toni Morrison, Walter Mosley, and Julia
Alvarez. For more information, visit
http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/blwc/
*****
RIP LAUNCHES NEWSLETTER
Revitalize, Inspire, and Perform (RIP) magazine launches a monthly
newsletter. RIP strives to reach all of the players involved in positively
influencing today's urban teens--from health educators to teachers
and principals to parents and youth center leaders. For more information,
visit: http://www.revitalizeinspireperform.com/
*****
DK PUBLISHING SEEKS SALES MANAGER
DK Publishing, a division of Penguin, has an opportunity for a manager to
sell Eyewitness Travel Guides, BradyGames and Rough Guides. Must have
at least 3 years of book selling experience (trade book sales preferred). To
apply, please send resume and cover letter with salary requirements to
jobs@... and indicate position title in the subject line.
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and
clothes."
--Desiderius Erasmus

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Marcela-Landres/567699306
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – 10/09: Afro-Latinos

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa
3. Upcoming Workshops: Getting Published Despite the Economy
4. Resources: $62,000 Fellowship
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"Working with Marcela is the wisest investment any writer can make. Her
intuition into the writer's mind coupled with her incredible insight into
the publishing industry is an invaluable combination. From the moment
we began correspondence, she was personable, friendly, and attentive.
Her ability to guide writers onto their unique path is a true gift. It is
evident that she cares deeply for the written word as much as she cares
for the people who struggle to get it on paper, and ultimately, the
bookshelf.
      I was so inspired by our phone consultation, I have written every day
since with renewed energy. It is her limitless knowledge that gives her
encouraging words a real strength and force; they knock down all those
inhibiting obstacles writers often place in front of themselves.
      In addition to helping me realize exactly what needs to be done to
make my manuscript a solid sell without sacrificing story, Marcela made
specific recommendations on how to build a writing career with longevity.
I wholeheartedly recommend Marcela's services to all writers, regardless
of level and genre. She has an uncanny talent for what she does and
chances are, she will help bring your own talent to light."
--Marytza Rubio, "Cigarettes for Yemaya"
http://www.tartamudada.blogspot.com/

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
While many Latinos have African roots, our literature doesn't always reflect
this. In addition to the glorious writing, Daughters of the Stone by Dahlma
Llanos-Figueroa is a notable debut novel because it represents a beautiful
and substantial addition to the legacy of Afro-Latino stories and storytellers.
To learn more, read this month's Q&A with Dahlma.

Helping Latinos get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York
City. She taught in the New York City school system before becoming a
young adult librarian. Dahlma has won the Bronx Council on the Arts
and BRIO Awards, as well as a Literary Arts Fellowship. She lives in the
Bronx. For more information, visit http://www.llanosfigueroa.com/

Q: Which author or book inspires you, and why?
A: Isabel Allende and Toni Morrison are my greatest inspirations. They
use innovative and lyrical language to tell stories that help readers come
to a new understanding or connect them with very personal aspects of
their lives. I especially love the fact that their books can be read on many
levels and therefore can be revisited over and over again.

Q: Why do you love to write?
A: I love to write because I love exploring the lives of my characters. I
enjoy creating a world in which they can grow and share themselves with
my readers. Once they are created, they often take me in directions that
are new and totally unexpected. The outcome is a wonderful surprise and
a learning lesson to me.

Q: Who is your agent and how did you meet him/her?
A: My agent is Susan Schulman and I met her at the annual International
Women's Writers Conference at Skidmore. It's a wonderful environment for
supporting and inspiring women writers.

Q: What is your writing ritual?
A: I get up at the crack of dawn, light a candle and some incense, and do
my meditations. Often, my writing comes out of images that come to me
during this quiet time. Then I turn to my journal and record all the thoughts
that have come to me. By the time I get to my computer, I have already
done the most creative part of my work.

Q: Other than honing their craft, what advice would you give to Latino
writers looking to land a book deal?
A: My advice to emerging writers is to find a writing community. Given
the realities of writing today, our world could so easily become a
computer screen and a room in which we sit alone. I've found that while
these are important, opening myself up to the constructive criticism and
supportive response of other writers is just as important. Also, this is the
way to make connections and begin the networking you will need in the
future. Silence and contemplation is crucial, but community is as important.

3. Upcoming Workshops
Getting Published Despite the Economy, Downtown Long Beach, CA

This workshop is sponsored by Las Comadres and is open to the public.

WHAT:
Getting Published Despite the Economy
Getting published is never easy, but the current economic climate
offers additional challenges--and opportunities. In this workshop,
you will learn: why debut writers are more valuable than published
authors; what agents and editors are looking for more than ever;
and the one trait that will ensure publication (hint: it's not about the
writing!).

Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to meet
one-on-one with Marcela who will critique a ten-page sample of
their writing. The individual consultations require an extra fee but you
can attend the workshop without participating in the consultations
though consultations are ONLY open to workshop participants.

$50 for workshop, $30 for a one-on-one twenty-minute consultation
with the editor. Writers must submit the first ten double-spaced
pages of their manuscripts. Please include name, e-mail address,
phone number and mailing address on the first page. No poetry or
children's books will be accepted. Space is limited so register early!

WHEN: Saturday, October 24
Workshop -  11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lunch Break - 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
One-on-One Consultations - After lunch

WHERE:  Downtown Long Beach, CA

TO REGISTER: Please send the following information to comadre Marytza
Rubio via e-mail Comadrewriters@... or call 714-200-4626:
Name:
E-mail address:
Cell:
Please indicate your interest in attending the workshop and if you would like
a consultation appointment so Marytza can call you with details.

List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
$62,000 FELLOWSHIP
Deadline: November 1
The Hodder Fellowship was created for artists in the early stages of their
careers. Preference is given to individuals outside of academia. You need
not be a US citizen to apply. For more information, visit
http://www.princeton.edu/arts/lewis_center/society_of_fellows/
*****
$25,000 FELLOWSHIP
Deadline: November 1
A fellowship of $25,000 is given to a fiction writer who has received an MFA
or a Ph.D. within the last five years. For more information, visit
http://louisville.edu/english/creative-writing/axton-fellowships.html
*****
MUJERES WRITING CONTEST
Deadline: November 15
Sowing the Seeds is sponsoring a writing contest for women of all ages living
in the Southwest. Winning entries will be selected in poetry, personal essay,
and memoir to be published in an anthology. For more information, visit
http://sowingtheseedsdetucson.org/
*****
SONNET AWARD
Deadline: November 15
A prize of $1000 and publication in Measure is given for a single sonnet. For
more information, visit http://measure.evansville.edu/SonnetContest.htm
*****
SLICE MAGAZINE SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
Deadline: December 1
The theme for articles, interviews, and essays is Metropolis, which is
completely open to interpretation. For more information, visit
http://www.slicemagazine.org/
*****
WINTER WRITING FELLOWSHIP
Deadline: December 1
Fine Arts Work Center Fellowships are open to writers in the emerging stages
of their careers, and they are actively seeking applicants from diverse cultural
backgrounds. For more information, visit http://www.fawc.org/
*****
CREATIVE NONFICTION SEEKS END OF LIFE ESSAYS
Deadline: December 31
Creative Nonfiction seeks essays that explore death, dying, and end of life
care. We're looking for stories from physicians, nurses, hospice workers,
counselors, clergy, family members, and others. For more information, visit
http://www.creativenonfiction.org/
*****
NEW LITERARY JOURNAL SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
The Collagist, an online literary journal, is seeking short fiction, poetry,
essays, book reviews, and an excerpt from a forthcoming novel. For more
information, visit http://www.thecollagist.com/
*****
FREE TELECLASSES
Linda Formichelli, author of The Renegade Writer, is offering free teleclasses
on topics ranging from how to write a killer query to how to organize your
assignment workflow, all based on her 12 years as a successful freelancer.
For more information, visit
http://therenegadewriter.com/linda-formichellis-free-teleclasses/
*****
JUST PUBLISHED: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Regina Brooks, a literary agent who has developed award-winning authors
across the YA genre, including a Coretta Scott King winner, is now the author
of Writing Great Books for Young Adults: Everything You Need to Know, from
Crafting the Idea to Landing a Publishing Deal. Topics covered include:
listening to the voices of youth; developing a writing style; and constructing
plots. For more information about Regina, visit http://www.serendipitylit.com/
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each
other's magnitude and bond."
--Gwendolyn Brooks

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Hi--Check out my October book picks for PowerfulLatinas.com. This month's theme
is La Bruja:

http://www.powerfullatinas.com/october-recommendations

Enjoy!
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Hi--Check out my September book picks for PowerfulLatinas.com:

http://www.powerfullatinas.com/september-recommendations

Enjoy!
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – 09/09: Agent Adriana Dominguez

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Agent Adriana Dominguez
3. Success Story: Nanette Guadiano-Campos
4. Resources: Publishing/Self-Publishing Seminar
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"Working with Marcela was really great. She is both personable and knowledgeable
about what it takes to get a book published, starting with the proposal process.
Marcela provided excellent advice, was available, and improved my book proposal
and platform. She explained the research I needed to do, the associations that
would be helpful to me, and suggested classes and courses that would improve my
credentials and make my platform more robust. I now feel after working with
Marcela that I have an advocate in my book proposal/book writing process."
--Marge Thorell, author of "Karin Larsson: Mother of Modern Swedish Design"

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
There are lamentably few Latinos in key positions in book publishing,
particularly Latino agents. So it is with great joy that this issue features
Adriana Dominguez, a publishing professional with a resume as impressive as her
character. While she may be a new agent, she is no stranger to the book
business. Read this month's Q&A to learn more.

Helping Latinos get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Adriana Domínguez has over 10 years of experience in publishing, most recently
as Executive Editor at HarperCollins Children's Books, where she managed the
children's division of the Latino imprint, Rayo. Prior to that, she was
Children's Reviews Editor at Críticas magazine, published by Library Journal.
She has performed editorial work for many important children's and adult
publishers, both on a full time basis and as a freelance consultant, on English
and Spanish language books. She is also a professional translator, and has
worked on a number of translations of best-selling children's books. Based in
New York, Adriana serves as Full Circle Literary's East Coast representative.

Q: What kinds of writing are you seeking?
A: I am interested in building a strong list of children's picture books, middle
grade novels, and young adult novels. On the adult side, I am looking for
literary, women's, and historical fiction, and in the area of non-fiction, for
multicultural, pop culture, how-to, and titles geared toward women of all ages.

Q: What kinds of writing are guaranteed to be rejected by you?
A: I am not an expert on science fiction, fantasy, westerns, crime, horror,
mystery, thrillers, detective novels, category romance, screenplays, or poetry,
so I probably wouldn't be the right agent to approach with those types of works.

Q: Other than with glorious prose, how can writers impress you?
A: Glorious prose is definitely the best way to impress me! I treasure good
writing, strong voices, and compelling stories. Additionally, I often find
myself wanting to work with writers who have done their homework and know that
building a platform before seeking publication is essential in today's
competitive publishing market. Beyond that, I would love to find exciting new
concept- and character-driven material.

Q: When querying or submitting their work to you, what specific mistakes should
writers avoid?
A: I dislike emails that ask questions whose answers can be easily found on our
agency website. The site provides clear submission guidelines and an extremely
helpful "proposal cheat sheet" that I think most writers can benefit from:
http://fullcircleliterary.com/sguide.html. I would strongly advise writers to
visit it before submitting questions about proposals, and the proposals
themselves. The site also lists my personal interests on the "About Us" page:
http://fullcircleliterary.com/about.html. I am always thankful when someone
values and respects my time by gathering information prior to contacting me. I
am also a stickler for grammar, so typically, a poorly written query, or one
that contains grammatical and/or typographical errors directs my attention
elsewhere.

Q: Are you open to Spanish-language and/or bilingual projects, or do you prefer
English-language only?
A: I am very open to bilingual projects, particularly on the children's side; I
have edited a great many bilingual children's books in my previous lives and
believe that they serve a very real purpose in the lives of both Latino and
Anglo parents and children. I also happen to know that the market craves them
more than most people think. I am willing to read queries written in Spanish
because I am fully bilingual and want to help as many Latino writers as possible
get published. However, I'd look at those queries with the intention of
submitting the works to publishers in English, or bilingually, so the writer in
question would have to be willing to have his or her material translated before
submitting a full proposal to me.

Q: Will you work with writers based abroad, or do you prefer U.S. based authors?
A: I prefer U.S. based authors mostly because they are better able to make
themselves physically available to their audience. However, I am keenly aware of
the fact that the Internet is constantly challenging our notions of time and
space. For this reason, among others, I am considering writers—whether from here
or abroad—on a case-by-case basis.

Q: At what e-mail or snail mail address should writers send queries and/or
submissions?
A: General queries and/or submissions to the agency can be sent to
submissions@.... If writers want to submit to me
specifically, they can specify that in their submissions, or send them directly
to: Adriana@.... We are a "green" agency; hence, we do not
accept snail mail submissions. No phone queries, please.

3. Success Story
"I just wanted to thank you for your website. My name is Nanette Guadiano-Campos
and thanks to your website, I found out about Fifteen Candles: 15 Tales of
Taffeta, Hairspray, Drunk Uncles, and other Quinceanera Stories (edited by
Adriana Lopez). I submitted my story and it was accepted! The rest is history.
Thanks for what you do for emerging writers."
--Nanette Guadiano-Campos
Nanettecampos212@...

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
PUBLISHING/SELF PUBLISHING SEMINAR
Date: September 12
Learn how to prepare your manuscripts and query letters to send to agents.
Receive a list of recommended agents. Learn book royalty rates and advances.
Learn everything about self-pubbing from obtaining ISBNs to getting your books
into stores. And learn from someone who has successfully self-pubbed and pubbed!
For more information, visit
http://www.karenequinonesmiller.com/Seminar%20Agenda.htm
*****
LATINO VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR
Dates: September 7–September 18
BronzeWord Authors Latino Virtual Book Tour welcomes Mayra Calvani. All her
books, column, and writing experience will be explored. Follow her on
http://authorslatino.com/wordpress
*****
DIVERGENCE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Deadline: September 15
Divergence, an electronic publication of text/image/sound/video, is seeking
poetry, articles, essays, text-art, animated text, as well as hybrids and
paratexts. For more information, visit
http://dbqp.blogspot.com/2009/08/divergence-call-for-sumissions.html
*****
$1000 BEST TRAVEL WRITING AWARD
Deadline: September 21
Travelers' Tales seeks travel writing in many categories from adventure to
funny, spiritual, women's, food related, memoir, destination, and more. All
entries will be considered for Travelers' Tales books. For more information,
visit http://www.travelerstales.com/guidelines/
*****
PHILIP LEVIN PRIZE IN POETRY
Deadline: September 30
This contest, open to all poets (except current or former students or faculty of
Fresno State), offers a $2000 prize and publication by Anhinga Press. For more
information, visit http://www.csufresno.edu/english/philip_levine/
*****
BULLYING ANTHOLOGY
Deadline: October 15
Do you have a bullying story to tell? In the workplace? At home? In school? All
ages and genres welcome. For more information, visit
http://www.teatrovida.com/calling-all-writers.html
*****
CREATIVE NONFICTION SEEKS ANIMAL STORIES
Deadline: November 13
Creative Nonfiction is seeking new essays about the bonds--emotional, ethical,
biological, physical, or otherwise--between humans and animals. For more
information, visit http://www.creativenonfiction.org/
*****
ANTHOLOGY CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Deadline: December 1
Seeking essays for the upcoming anthology And Then It Shifted: Women Open Up
About Leaving Men for Women (Seal Press, 2010). They seek a diversity of voices,
and welcome submissions from a variety of perspectives. For more information,
visit http://sites.google.com/site/andthenitshifted/
*****
CHOOSING AMERICA
They are looking for authentic anecdotes (1500-4000 words) from your own
experience as an immigrant who chose to live in America. For more information,
visit http://www.choosingamerica.com/
*****
JUST PUBLISHED: HAVANA AND OTHER MISSING FATHERS
Mia Leonin spent the first sixteen years of her life believing her father was
dead. Shortly after her sixteenth birthday, Leonin learned that her father, a
Cuban exile, was very much alive and living in Florida. She attempts to contact
him and discovers an island bereft of fathers and brimming with paternalism. For
more information, visit http://www.mialeonin.com/
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book."
--Mickey Spillane

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Marcela's Book Picks for Powerfullatinas.com

Hi--I'm delighted to announce that I'm reviewing books for PowerfulLatinas.com,
a smart and empowering web site founded and hosted by the impressive Aurelia
Flores. To see August's picks and to learn more about Powerfullatinas.com,
please visit http://www.powerfullatinas.com/ and scroll down to the bottom.

Warmly,
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – 07/09-08/09: Packagers

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Belinda Acosta
3. Upcoming Workshops: Before You Send It Out
4. Resources: Kweli Seeks Writers of Color
***************************************************************
"Getting well-published today is challenging enough for a new author,
but having a sex offender label can add its own set of obstacles. Not
only did Marcela approach me and my project enthusiastically and
without personal judgment from the start, she never once allowed my
stigma to compromise her steadfast mission: making my book
proposal and my platform the best it could possibly be. Every
recommendation Marcela made was right on target, undeniably
valuable, and I have no doubt the compliments she gave me and my
writing were truly sincere. Thank you Marcela, you inspired me all
over again!"
—Erik Mart, author of MonsterMart: How I Joined America's Most
Unwanted, http://www.monstermartorg.blogspot.com/

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
What do Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Goosebumps, and the For
Dummies series have in common? They were created by packagers,
which are essentially production companies for books. A packager hires
the team of people—writers, editors, illustrators, production managers,
etc.—to make a book or series of books. The packager sells the concept
to a publishing company and depending on the deal delivers a finished
manuscript, or camera-ready proofs, or even bound books. For writers
who can meet deadlines and are team players, working with a packager
can be a great way to get published. Read this month's Q&A with Belinda
Acosta, author of the packaged novel Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz, to
learn more.

Helping Latinos get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Belinda Acosta works as a journalist in Austin, Texas, writing reviews and
features on books, film, and the arts, in addition to a weekly column on
television (TV Eye) for the Austin Chronicle. Her work has appeared in Poets
& Writers, Latino USA, Latino Magazine, AlterNet and other publications. She
was a Michener Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin where she
received her MFA in Writing in 1997. Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz (Grand
Central Publishing, August 2009) is her first novel. For more info, visit:
http://qclubbooks.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/l/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-quinceanera-club-books-de-Belinda-Acosta/137625\
675297
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://tinyurl.com/cmwks3

Q: Who is the packager behind Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz and how did
you connect with them?
A: That would be Ellen Jacob of Jacob Packaged Goods in New York. I
responded to an e-mail Ellen sent out a couple of years ago, looking for
writers for a vaguely described project. My curiosity was piqued and I
responded. We corresponded off and on over a period of three months or
so before the project was officially launched.

Q: Would you describe the process of writing a novel for a packager?
A: Ellen had provided a constellation of characters to work with and the
backdrop (the quinceañera). Originally, it was to be a young adult novel set
in Los Angeles. It was eventually changed to an adult novel, directed to
women and mothers. The final logline, to use a filmmaking term became:
a mother-daughter story centered around a quinceañera.

Since I had little knowledge of LA Latino culture, I said I would be more
comfortable setting it in San Antonio, since I had spent some time there.
It's ninety minutes from Austin, where I've lived for the last twenty years.
Once the final logline was settled, I was left alone to make up the entire
story, using some of the original character names Ellen suggested. They—
meaning Ellen and Selina McLemore, the editor at Grand Central Publishing—
approved the outline of the book, but ultimately I had a lot of freedom in
developing the story, which was great. I'm sure I would have bucked against
any more direct involvement. I don't write in a team nor have I ever wanted
to work with a writing partner.

Q: What are the advantages of writing for a packager?
A: As a working journalist, I knew what it was like to write on deadline. It's
how I've worked for the last 10 years. And since my own novel was stuck, I
thought this would give me a break from my own work, would be a great
way to work on another project that was challenging, see it to completion,
and learn something in the process. And I did learn a lot. I have an MFA from
the Michener Center at the University of Texas at Austin, so I have a huge
appreciation for the art and craft of writing, but I'm not sure I was as strong
in the mechanics of assembling a novel-length work. The mechanics I
learned from being a working journalist, but the journalism pieces I've written
are usually no more than 10,000 words. So, taking on a project that required
80,000 to 90,000 words was a huge leap. I felt sure I could deliver and I
didn't think it would be easy, but actually doing it, in a compressed time
period, was the hardest thing I've ever done. Harder than writing my
Master's Thesis.

Q: What are the disadvantages of writing for a packager?
A: I don't know if my experience is typical, but what I hated was the
extremely short turn around time. It was something like four or five months
to turn around the first draft. Some extra time was tagged on when I had a
family emergency, but only about two additional months, I think. Again, my
journalism background makes me uniquely qualified to work under a hard
deadline. What was new to me was learning what a deeply intimate process
writing a novel really is, especially when you're writing it on a short
deadline.
It is in your head all the time. You sleep with it; it infiltrates your waking
life
and lurks around all your personal relationships. It's like having a perpetually
nursing child with you at all times. Ideally, I would have taken a leave from
my day job. I write a weekly column for the Austin Chronicle (TV Eye), the alt
weekly in town, but that was not an option.

I've often joked that writing a novel is like being pregnant. You can't be
pregnant then take a couple of days off because you want to slip into that
smart cocktail dress for a day. The same is true of writing a novel,
particularly when you're careening toward a deadline. While I had no choice
but to juggle my day job and the novel, it was schizophrenic. Just when I got
in a groove with the book, I had to stop and return to the column (or another
feature—I also write reviews and features for the books, arts, and screens
sections of the Austin Chronicle). Once I finished the column, I had to
re-orient
myself to the novel. It's not impossible, but my God, it was psychically
difficult.
Not impossible, but it was a difficult.

In many ways, I felt like a surrogate mother. Over time, since I was given so
much freedom, and because writing a novel is such an intimate process, I
eventually drew very close to the project. I created it from a basic idea: the
words, the story, the characters, all of it. I would have never written a book
centered around a quinceañera on my own, not because I have anything
against them, but because it would have never occurred to me. That was all
Ellen's idea. I got hired to deliver it. So, while she holds the copyright, I
have
my name on the cover and will share in the proceeds. So, if you're one of
those people dying to get your name on a book cover but dread pitching to
publishers, working for a packager may have strong appeal. Personally, my
goal is to write a novel that stands the test of time. Will DAMAS do that? I
have
no idea but I think it's a fun read full of characters that I enjoyed
discovering
and playing with. In the end, I have a huge sense of accomplishment and I
thank Ellen for the opportunity to bring her idea to life.

Q: What advice could you offer to writers who are considering working with
a packager?
A: Know yourself and know your packager. Be sure the packager understands
how writers work—or at least how you work. Get your own agent to represent
you. Do not sign anything until you understand what is expected of you, how
deeply (or distantly the packager wants to work with you in creating the work,
and if that works for you. As I said, I don't want a writing partner, but if you
need one, and the packager wants to play that role, that might be a viable
working relationship for you. Ask questions, if you have them, and make sure
you understand the response. Remember that your time is valuable. Time spent
on a packager's project is time not spent on your own. I think there's something
to be said for stepping away from your work and letting it proof. If you think
you can stand a break from your work, then take it. I would encourage someone
in a similar position that I was in to have a clear idea of what you want to
learn
from this project—not just what you want (most writers want to be published)—
but what do you need to learn to become a better writer? How can taking on the
  packager's project add to your personal writing arsenal? If there is nothing to
learn from the venture, personally, I would avoid it.

3. Upcoming Workshops
WHAT: Before You Send It Out Workshop

Agents and editors don't have time to read entire manuscripts. So how do they
choose which writers they want to work with? Proposals. Regardless of whether
you have a book for adults or children, in fiction or nonfiction, you need a
strong proposal. But while many writers invest a significant amount of time,
energy and money in crafting their manuscripts, few know how to compose a
proper proposal. In this class, you will learn:
     1.    • Why 90% of submissions are rejected based on the cover letter alone
     2.    • The single most reliable—and free!—resource for finding a good agent
     3.    • Three common, yet easily avoidable, mistakes writers make
     4.    • A proposal's true purpose (hint: it's not to demonstrate talent)
Note: The first 20 writers to register and send a manuscript will each receive
a 20-minute private consultation with Editorial Consultant Marcela Landres,
who will offer professional suggestions and advice for each writer.

WHEN: Saturday, July 25; workshop from 9 a.m. to noon, private appointments
from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Gemini Ink, 513 S. Presa, San Antonio, TX 78205

TESTIMONIAL: "Let me just say again how beneficial I found your presentation.
As I mentioned before, I have been writing for most of my life but until
relatively recently have not looked into publication. I have attended many
workshops and presentations on breaking into the market in the last few years,
  and yours tops the list. You definitely have a gift. You give very specific
advice
(which so many seem to avoid) and are very encouraging. Please let me know if
you are ever in the area again."
--Alicia Clay-ONeill

REGISTER: Visit http://geminiink.gdcblogs.com/ then click on Classes and
download the PDF of their Summer 2009 catalogue

QUESTIONS?: E-mail info@... or call 877.734.WORD

List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
KWELI SEEKS WRITERS OF COLOR
Deadline: August 10
Kweli Journal is a new online literary journal established to identify, promote,
and nurture emerging writers of color. They are currently seeking short
stories, novel excerpts if they are self-contained, and poetry. For more
information, visit http://www.kwelijournal.com/
*****
ESQUIRE MAGAZINE CONTEST
Deadline: August 1
A prize of $2500 and publication in Esquire will be given for a short story
with the title "Twenty-Ten," "An Insurrection," or "Never, Ever Bring This Up
Again." For more information, visit
http://www.esquire.com/fiction/fiction-contest
*****
MEMOIR PRIZE
Deadline: August 15
First prize is $500 and publication in Memoir (and) for a memoir in the
form of a poem, a short story, or an essay. For more information, visit
http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/
*****
BLACK LAWRENCE PRESS AWARD
Deadline: August 31
The winner receives $1000 and book publication by Black Lawrence Press
for either a collection of poems or short stories. For more information, visit
http://blacklawrence.com/stlawrence_1.html
*****
POWER OF WORDS CONFERENCE
Dates: September 4-7
Goddard College is hosting the Power of Words Conference, which offers
readings and workshops in poetry and fiction. Scholarships are available
for people of color. For more information, visit
http://www.tlanetwork.org/conference/
*****
REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE CONTEST
Deadline: September 7
A prize of $3000 and publication in Real Simple magazine will be given
for an essay on the theme: "When did you realize that you had become a
grown-up?" For more information, visit
http://www.realsimple.com/lifelessonscontest
*****
STREET SMARTS ANTHOLOGY SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
Deadline: September 30
Louis Reyes Rivera and Bruce George, co-editors of the critically acclaimed
The Bandana Republic, are now accepting submissions for Street Smarts:
An Anthology of Urban Survival Strategies. They are seeking your story of
survival via rent parties, urban food recipes, the urban banking system,
home remedies, prison survival etc. For more information, visit
http://o.b5z.net/i/u/10027100/f/StreetSmartGuidelines.pdf
*****
MUJERES WRITING CONTEST
Deadline: November 15
Sowing the Seeds, a collective of women writers based in Tucson, Arizona,
is seeking poetry, personal essay, and memoir to be published in their
anthology "Our Spirit, Our Reality." For  more information, visit
http://sowingtheseedsdetucson.org/
*****
BERKLEY SEEKS EDITOR
Berkley is looking for an editor to make fiction acquisitions for its Prime
Crime mystery sub-imprint and in the women's fiction area for trade and
mass market. Editor may also maintain the westerns list by acquiring as
needed. Must have at least 3 years of related experience in commercial
trade book publishing. To apply, please send your resume, cover letter
with salary requirements, an agent contact list, and a list of books edited to
jobs@.... Please indicate position title in the subject line.
*****
JUST PUBLISHED: THE HUSBAND HABIT BY ALISA VALDES-RODRIGUEZ
Please join Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez in celebrating the release of her sixth
novel, The Husband Habit. Attend an Online Book Party, or join Alisa in
person on her New Mexico Homegrown Flavor Tour. For more information,
visit http://sites.google.com/site/thehusbandhabit/
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"A writer cannot choose his audience; he can only be himself and let
his audience choose him."
--Sloan Wilson

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Latinidad – 6/09: Book Trailers

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Sister Outsider Entertainment
3. Success Story: Edna Campos Gravenhorst
4. Upcoming Workshops: Before You Send It Out
5. Resources: Magazine Seeks Teen Writers/Artists
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"In a jam-packed session, Marcela answered all my questions,
debunked all the myths I was operating under and left me with a
blueprint for how to publish fiction. I wish I had discovered Marcela
years ago!"
--Shira Linden, author of "Unlucky in Lust"

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Smart authors know they must invest their own time—and yes, their own
money—in marketing their books. Most writers assume hiring a publicist
will do the trick, but a traditional publicity campaign is unlikely to make
your book stand out amidst the thousands of others also vying for the
attention of the media and readers. One nontraditional tool worth
investigating is the book trailer. An example of a successful book trailer
is for Yiddish with Dick and Jane by Ellis Weiner and Barbara Davilman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlO5vUS5KnU

The book trailer had over two million viewings and resulted in sales of
the book quadrupling. Dollar for dollar, a good book trailer is a better
investment than a print ad. To learn more, read this month's Q&A with
Sister Outsider Entertainment founders Elisha Miranda and Sofia Quintero.

Helping Latinos get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Elisha Miranda and Sofia Quintero are the founders of Sister Outsider
Entertainment, a multimedia production company that develops projects
for television, film, and stage including the Internet series Sangria Street
and the off-Broadway production of Pandora's. Elisha's feature film script
Outside the Wall won the Tribeca All Access Award, the Outfest
Screenwriting Competition, a Sundance Feature Filmmaking Finalist, a
Voy Picture Lab Finalist, and a NALIP Director's Lab Fellow. Sofia's
feature-length screenplay Interstates won the San Francisco Black Film
Festival screenplay competition, the Montage Entertainment Diversity in
Screenwriting contest, and was twice a finalist for the screenwriting lab
at Sundance. For more information, visit http://www.sisteroutsider.biz/

Q: What kinds of books best lend themselves for adaptation into a book trailer?
A: With creativity and planning, any book can be translated into a trailer, but
of course, fiction lends itself best. Regardless of the genre or topic, the
first step in creating a trailer is preparing a script. Because we ourselves are
both novelists and screenwriters, we have the skill and talent to translate the
essence of your story into a visually stunning multimedia experience. Does
this mean that we are adapting your book into a short film? No, because,
believe it or not, that's not what you want. You want a video advertisement
for your book that people should watch it and say, "I have to read that book
now" not "Wow, can't wait to see that movie."

Q: When is the ideal time for authors to contact you in order to have a
book trailer ready by the publication date of the book?
A: It is never too early to start socking away money to promote your book
regardless of the ways you decide to do it. Once you have a strong draft of
your book, we can begin writing the script to prepare for the production of
its promotional video. Since we ourselves are working authors and filmmakers,
we recommend that clients contact us a year before their tentative release
date to get on our calendar. At minimum, give yourself three to six months
before your release to viral your trailer on the web and drum up speaking
engagements and book signings. You want to build anticipation and increase
sales. But if you just found out about this promotional tool and your release
date is next week, call us. We'll see if and what we can do for you.

Q: How closely do you work with authors when creating a book trailer?
How much input should they expect to offer?
A: As authors, we respect our fellow authors, and we would never sacrifice
the story for the image or vice versa. Not all filmmakers are capable or
willing to do that. We also know that in today's publishing industry, authors
have to invest as much time and energy into promoting their books as they
do writing them. Sister Outsider gives clients three opportunities to review
the script and provide feedback on the video's rough cut to ensure that they
are satisfied.

Q: How many minutes in length do you recommend a book trailer should be?
A: An effective trailer should be no more than three minutes, and less is
best. Most amateur trailers are too long. Viewers either stop watching before
it's done or decide they don't need to buy the book after all!

Q: What specific advice would you offer to authors who are considering
hiring someone to make a book trailer of their work?
A: If you're going to make the investment of producing a trailer, then it's
critical that you hire professionals and allow us to use our expertise to help
you. We are thrilled that increasingly more authors are adopting a multimedia
promotional strategy, but the average author doesn't understand the level of
time and talent required to make an effective visual representation of their
work that will generate sales. You know that feeling you get when, after
months or even years over toiling over your book to make it the best it can
be, someone quips, "You know, I think I'll write a book, too" as if it's the
easiest thing in the world? Well, that's how we feel when someone who
wants a trailer that looks like something they might see in a movie theater
says, "But I'm not willing to pay a cent over $500." Sure, you can save tons
by having a friend or relative make it for you, but you also run a very high
risk of having a video spoiled by poor acting, blurry camera work and
choppy editing that will leave viewers wondering if your book is just as
unprofessional. At Sister Outsider, you get what you pay for--a
professional cast and crew. Even a bare-bones production involves
trained and experienced actors, screenwriter, director, cinematographer
(camera person), gaffer, sound person, and editor. There are hours of
pre-production--from scripting to rehearsing and other steps in
between--before we even start shooting, and post-production--
assembling the footage, adding the music, adjusting the sound, etc.--
takes at least forty hours. That said, we also remember what it's like to
just break into both the publishing and film industries, which is why Sister
Outsider has several options to fit a range of budgets, and we are very
forthcoming about what each package buys you.

But if you're intent on going your own way, we still want to support you.
E-mail us your first and last name at info@... and ask for
our free PDF 10 Signs of an Amateur Book Trailer. Mention that you read
about us in Latinidad, and we'll throw in 5 Tips for a SIZZING Trailer. At the
very least, read these two documents before you start. :-)

3. Success Story
"Marcela,
You along with editors, publishers, and agents are constantly encouraging
writers to market their work-in-progress and not wait until the book is
finished. For my first attempt at fiction, I thought why use someone else's
quote as my signature on emails? I added a quote from my new book,
Negreta, an American Nigress, to my e-mail signature. As soon as I did
that, my phone started ringing, people wanted to know what the book
was about. Then I was asked to read from my book, Té de
Canela/Cinnamon Tea, for the students in Women's and Gender Studies
at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Dr. Kathleen Butterly Nigro has
been using Té de Canela/Cinnamon Tea as required reading for the last
five semesters. Since I had an audience, I shared a few paragraphs from
Negreta; the students really liked what I read and so did Dr. Nigro.

On April 5, 2009, I received a letter from Dr. Nigro, president of the
Kate Chopin Society of North America, Kirkwood Public Library, letting
me know I have been selected as the recipient of the Kate Chopin Silver
Wings Writing Award for 2009.

Marcela, keep encouraging writers to market their books while they are
works-in-progress and to take advantage of every opportunity to read
and discuss their writing. I appreciate the information you gather and
send to us via Latinidad. You save us so much time and provide a
much-needed service for free! I want you to know I am successful
because I have listened to what you have been saying since I made
contact with you in 2003."
--Edna Campos Gravenhorst, ecgravenhorst@...,
http://ednacamposgravenhorst.com/

4. Upcoming Workshops
WHAT: Before You Send It Out Workshop

Agents and editors don't have time to read entire manuscripts. So how do
they choose which writers they want to work with? Proposals. Regardless of
whether you have a book for adults or children, in fiction or nonfiction, you
need a strong proposal. But while many writers invest a significant amount
of time, energy, and money in crafting their manuscripts, few know how to
compose a proper proposal. In this class, you will learn:
     1.    • Why 90% of submissions are rejected based on the cover letter alone
     2.    • The single most reliable—and free!—resource for finding a good agent
     3.    • Three common, yet easily avoidable, mistakes writers make
     4.    • A proposal's true purpose (hint: it's not to demonstrate talent)
Note: The first 20 writers to register and send a manuscript will each receive
a 20-minute private consultation with Editorial Consultant Marcela Landres,
who will offer professional suggestions and advice for each writer.

WHEN: Saturday, July 25; workshop from 9 a.m. to noon, private
appointments from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Gemini Ink, 513 S. Presa, San Antonio, TX 78205

TESTIMONIAL: "Let me just say again how beneficial I found your
presentation. As I mentioned before, I have been writing for most of my
life but until relatively recently have not looked into publication. I have
attended many workshops and presentations on breaking into the market
in the last few years, and yours tops the list. You definitely have a gift.
You give very specific advice (which so many seem to avoid) and are very
encouraging. Please let me know if you are ever in the area again."
--Alicia Clay-ONeill

REGISTER: Visit http://geminiink.gdcblogs.com/ then click on Classes and
download PDF of Summer 2009 catalogue

QUESTIONS?: E-mail info@...  or call 877.734.WORD

List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

5. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
MAGAZINE SEEKS TEEN WRITERS/ARTISTS
RIP (Revitalize, Inspire, Perform) magazine, a quarterly publication for
urban youth ages 13-19, is seeking youth correspondents, artists and
photographers to submit their art, poems, and pictures and articles. For
more information, visit http://www.revitalizeinspireperform.com/
*****
BROOKLYN CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
Class Dates: June 9 to July 28
Open to writers of all levels and genres. Led by poet and experienced
workshop facilitator, Tamiko Beyer, in association with the NY Writers
Coalition. For more information, visit http://www.wonderinghome.com.
To register, email tamiko.b@...
*****
SINGLE POEM AWARD
Deadline: July 1
The Happy Hour Poetry Award offers $1000 and publication in
Alehouse for a single poem. For more information, visit
http://alehousepress.homestead.com/
*****
$30,000 FICTION PRIZE
Deadline: July 15
Bard College offers $30,000 and a one-semester appointment as
writer-in-residence to a U.S. fiction writer under the age of 40. For
more information, visit http://www.bard.edu/bfp/
*****
TRANSNATIONAL CULTURAL REMITTANCES GRANT
Deadline: July 24
NALAC offers grants to individuals, collectives, and community-based
organizations in the U.S., Mexico, and Central America that are engaged
in the practical exchange of culture. For more information, visit
http://www.nalac.org/
*****
NARRATIVE MAGAZINE CONTEST
Deadline: July 31
Seeking short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays,
graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from
longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. For more information, visit
http://narrativemagazine.com/
*****
QUEENS COMMUNITY ARTS FUND
Deadline: For organizations 9/24, for individual artists 10/8
The purpose of QCAF is to direct city, state, federal, and private funds
to carefully chosen local individuals and groups who have demonstrated
their commitment to producing new work inspired by the community
and/or to increasing cultural programming and access to the arts in
Queens. For more information, visit
http://www.queenscouncilarts.org/
*****
AAWW SUMMER WRITING WORKSHOPS
The Asian American Writers' Workshop prides itself on being a safe,
nurturing space for writers of all levels and ethnicities to develop
artistically and professionally. Classes cover a variety of genres
including poetry, fiction, and flash fiction. For more information, visit
http://www.aaww.org/events_workshops.html
*****
NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY SEEKS MYSTERY EDITOR
New American Library seeks an editor, or senior editor depending on
experience, to oversee its Obsidian mystery list. Must have at least
three years of editorial experience in a commercial trade book
publisher and experience editing mysteries. To apply, please send
your resume, cover letter with salary requirements, an agent contact
list and list of books edited to jobs@... and indicate
position title in the subject line.
*****
LATINO BOOK NEWS ON TWITTER
Follow @LatinoBookNews for the latest on Latino/a authors and their
books; about contests, awards, grants, and conferences.
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"Hold on tight to the words of your ancestors."
--Maori Quote

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Hi--I was featured on GalleyCat, which is part of mediabistro.com. In order to
see the profile, visit:

http://tinyurl.com/oj75ur

or

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/people_of_color/featured_freelance_editor_m\
arcela_landres_116269.asp

Enjoy!
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – 5/09: Children's Book Week

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Monica Brown
3. Success Story: Bárbara Renaud González
4. Resources: $50,000 Literary Prize
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"I greatly enjoyed all the feedback for "Campo Girl." I believe your
consultation saved me many dollars. I would have kept applying to
artist residencies and conferences aimlessly, and wasting my own
precious funds. I feel more confident about my fiction. Thank you
again Marcela!"--Jina Ortiz, author of "Campo Girl"

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Not only is May Latino Books Month, it also features Children's Book
Week (May 11-17). Librarians, educators, booksellers, and booklovers
can find suggestions on how to celebrate Children's Book Week in a
digital toolkit by visiting: http://www.bookweekonline.com/. You can
also commemorate both Latino Books Month and Children's Book Week
by reading the work of award-winning Monica Brown, who is the
subject of this month's Q&A and is a writer who is as gracious as she
is talented.

Helping Latinos get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Inspired by her Peruvian-American heritage, Monica Brown is the author
of award-winning bilingual books for children, including My Name Is
Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz (Luna Rising), which was awarded the
Américas Award and Pura Belpré Honor. Other titles include My Name Is
Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral (Luna Rising), My Name Is Gabito:
The Life of Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Luna Rising), which was named a
Pura Belpré Honor and a Críticas "Best Children's Book," and Pelé, King
of Soccer, which received starred reviews from Kirkus and Críticas. For
more information, visit http://www.monicabrown.net/.

Q: Which author or book inspires you, and why?
A: Recently, I've been greatly inspired by Luis Urrea—the author of The
Hummingbird's Daughter and The Devil's Highway, among others. His
work is amazing—The Hummingbird's Daughter explores the life of the
real life "Santa Teresita" in ways that sing on the page. I love the
insight his writing gives on the history of the U.S. Mexico borderlands
  and also the way his words give balm to my spirit.  His non-fiction
work, such as The Devil's Highway, is devastating, but so very important.
I'm convinced that if everyone read his story of the 14 deaths during a
fateful border crossing, our immigration policy would be changed forever.

Q: Why do you love to write?
A: Because I love to read! Reading great (and even not-so-great) literature
has "saved" me in so many big and small ways, that is a privilege and a joy
to be a part of creating literature for children. I want to pass along the
"book joy" as Pat Mora would say. And speak to them the way my
childhood books spoke to me—with fun, flights of fancy, hope, and
imagination.

Q: Who is your agent and how did you meet him/her?
A: My agents are Stefanie Von Borstel and Lilly Ghahremani of Full Circle
Literary. They are amazing. I met Stefanie at an SCBWI (Society of Children's
Book Author's and Illustrators) conference in Los Angeles.

Q: What is your writing ritual?
A: Well, because I work full time as an English Professor at Northern
Arizona University, I write when I can! So my best writing time is during
the summer, on weekends, and during holidays. My most productive year
ever came during my sabbatical. And always—I write in the morning. I
can edit, revise, and research at any time of the day, but for those
moments of true inspiration and creation—when I'm creating the first
draft—it needs to be in the morning. I'm not necessarily a morning
person, but I do think it is the most hopeful time of the day and in
order to write for children, you need free access to hopes and dreams.

Q: Other than honing their craft, what advice would you give to Latino
writers looking to land a book deal?
A: Learning from you, Marcela, is a good first step! Aside from craft, I
think that writers just beginning their journey need to professionalize—
and that encompasses many things. Join your professional organization—
join SCBWI if you want to write for children or the Romance Writers of
America, if that's your genre. Then go to conferences and network—and
by network, I don't mean stalking editors. Rather, come with your best
work and be curious, polite, and friendly to everyone. Open your mind
to new ideas and listen! Create a website, get business cards. These are
basic things, but sometimes creative people don't want to be bothered—
or perhaps just aren't "good" at those aspects of the business. I certainly
  wasn't. But part of what we do is a business and we need to become
literate in that part of publishing as well—networking, marketing, etc.
And always—pass it on. It's my privilege now to be able to mentor
newer writers the way I was mentored.

3. Success Story
"Marcela,
My novel, Golondrina, Why Did You Leave Me?, is the first Chicana novel
to be published by the University of Texas Press, under the Chicana
Matters imprint, http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/subjects/chicana.html

You were tremendously helpful in getting me published, by teaching me
what editors look for, and most of all, your support and praise of my
dreams and hard work. I followed your advice, and though I went with
a university publisher because of the attention they promised to pay to
this book, I still owe you a lot--you understood my story, my strengths
and weaknesses, and told me the truth.

One of the reviewers for the early manuscript of this book stated that my
story belonged in the Mexican-American canon--we'll see about that,
but I'm getting reviewed by Ms. Magazine, different newspapers,
interviewed by LatinoUSA, and a good many others before it's over, I
hope. Most proud of reading, accompanied by Eva Ybarra (one of the
world's greatest accordionists, she's from here) at the Museo Alameda
Smithsonian in June. I'm committed to writing a great story and inviting
my community to read their own stories. You can see my publicity at
http://www.barbararenaud.blogspot.com/

Gracias, Marcela, and hope to see you somewhere very soon."
--Bárbara Renaud González, anabarbararenaud@...

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
$50,000 LITERARY PRIZE
Deadline: July 1
St. Francis College offers a $50,000 literary prize for an author's fourth book,
either a novel or collection of short stories. Judges include Michael Chabon
and Jonathan Lethem. For more information, visit
http://www.stfranciscollege.edu/literaryprize
*****
LATINO POETRY COLLECTION PRIZE
Deadline: June 1
First prize is $1,000 and publication by Arte Público Press. For more
information, visit http://www.pw.org/content/chicanolatino_literary_prize
*****
BROOKLYN TEEN WRITER CONTEST
Deadline: June 20
Seeking stories, poems, essays, spoken word, raps, fiction, or nonfiction from
Brooklyn writers in high school. First place winner will receive a laptop
computer.
For more information, visit http://www.visitbrooklyn.org/festival.html
*****
HOLLYWOOD BOOK FESTIVAL
Deadline: June 25
The Hollywood Book Festival has issued a call for entries to its annual program
celebrating books that deserve greater recognition from the film, television,
game, and multimedia communities. For more information, visit
http://www.hollywoodbookfestival.com/
*****
GIVAL PRESS OSCAR WILDE AWARD CONTEST
Deadline: June 27
First prize is $100 for a poem about GLBT life. For more information, visit
http://216.197.127.196/gp/index.cfm?rsn=210&mn=Contests
*****
SHORT STORY OR NOVEL EXCERPT AWARD
Deadline: June 30
First prize is $1000 and publication in Hidden River Anthology. For more
information, visit http://www.pw.org/content/william_van_wert_fiction_award
*****
ESSAY PRIZE
Deadline: June 30
A prize of $1500 and publication in Teachers & Writers magazine will be
given to an essay that relates to creative writing education, literary studies,
or the profession of writing. For more information, visit
http://www.twc.org/publications/bechtel-prize
*****
FICTION OR CREATIVE NONFICTION AWARD
Deadline: July 15
First prize is $1750 and the opportunity to be represented by the Irene
Goodman Agency. For more information, visit http://sfwpawards.com/
*****
MAYBORN LITERARY NONFICTION WRITERS CONFERENCE
Dates: July 24 to July 26
Features panel discussions, lectures, readings, and workshops. Participating
writers include Stephanie Elizondo Griest and Paul Theroux. For more
information, visit http://themayborn.unt.edu/MaybornConference2009.htm
*****
MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
Deadline: September 31
Lee & Low Books, award-winning publisher of children's books, offers
the New Voices Award for a children's fiction or nonfiction picture book
story by a writer of color. For more information, visit
http://www.leeandlow.com/
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"You must write for children the same way you write for adults, only better."
--Maxim Gorky

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Marcela-Landres/567699306

Latinidad – 4/09: Poetry

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Monica de la Torre
3. Success Story: Silvio Sirias
4. Upcoming Workshops: From Start to Sales Conference
5. Resources: International Poetry Competition
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"Thanks for your good editing, suggestions and encouragement. I
found a great agent, Claire Gerus, and she directed me immediately
to Kaplan Publishing Co. and yesterday a signed contract came through
with a nice little advance and a commitment to publish my book on
juvenile justice early in 2011. Your suggestions and encouragement
were invaluable."
--Juvenile Judge Irene Sullivan, author of Tough and Tender: Juvenile
Justice That Works for America's Troubled Kids

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Writing poetry makes you a better writer of novels, memoirs, and
pretty much everything else. Poetry forces you to look at word choice
in a way other genres (with the possible exception of scriptwriting)
simply don't. Monica de la Torre, an intelligent, precise, and at times
unexpectedly funny poet, juxtaposes words in a manner that both
confounds and delights. Read this month's Q&A for further insight
into a poet's particular relationship with language.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Monica de la Torre is the author of the poetry books Talk Shows
(Switchback, 2007); Acufenos, published in 2006 in Mexico City by
Taller Ditoria; and Public Domain (Roof Books, 2008). She is co-author
of the artist book Appendices, Illustrations & Notes, available on
Ubu.com and co-edited the multilingual anthology Reversible
Monuments: Contemporary Mexican Poetry (Copper Canyon Press).
She is translator of a volume of selected poems by the acclaimed
Mexican poet Gerardo Deniz (Lost Roads, 2000), and co-translator of
Mauve Sea-Orchids by the Argentine poet Lila Zemborain (Belladonna
Books, 2007). She is senior editor at BOMB Magazine.

* Which author or book inspires you, and why?

Every book that takes poetry or writing in a direction I hadn't
imagined until I came across it inspires me. I'm interested in books
that push the envelope, books that expand conventional definitions
of what's possible in writing. I'm one of those people who need to
read before they can write: my writing is always a palimpsest, a
dialogue with other texts. Lately I've been obsessed with La nueva
novela (1977) by the late Chilean poet Juan Luis Martinez: a patchwork
of found visual and verbal texts as well as literary allusions that is so
unconventional one can hardly call it a book of poems. Lately I've also
been very inspired by plays by experimental playwrights: Mac Wellman
and Richard Maxwell, for instance. The mechanics of plays are very
appealing to me: they put language in action, language in them is
really doing something. In poetry, this isn't always the case, but it's
certainly my aim. A writer whose work never ceases to inspire me is
the Brazilian Clarice Lispector: her writing seems so effortless, but
then you realize every one of her decisions in writing multiplies the
way a text can be read, there's a frightening intelligence to them. You
can never be done reading her; her writing just keeps unfolding.

* You're the poetry editor at The Brooklyn Rail. How does your
background as an editor influence your writing?

I'm actually senior editor at BOMB Magazine now. I've been here since
October 2007. What being an editor has done for me is incalculable!
I'm slightly less terrified of imperfection and mediocrity now. When it
comes to writing there's nothing that can't be fixed. I'm longer cringe
at the sight of the blank page.

At the Rail, I was only doing poetry: my mind doesn't do single-channel.
I thrive on overstimulation. Working at BOMB has given me the
opportunity to establish incredibly satisfying dialogues with a multitude
of artists from a variety of different disciplines. I'm so fortunate.

* You've translated the work of Gerardo Deniz, among other
Spanish-language poets. Does your work translating other writers
shape your own writing?

Absolutely. I try not to do hack work. Have you noticed how bad writing
is contagious? Sadly, this is not the case with good writing. Translation
is so intimate . . . if I translated poetry that I didn't aspire to being able
to write myself, I'd feel like I'd be willingly infected by a noxious bug that
would chip away at my ability to discern good from bad writing. I once
got offered a lot of money to translate some trashy fiction into Spanish.
I would have paid off my loans had I accepted.

*What is your writing ritual?

I wish I had a ritual! I don't. All I can say is that I write best when I'm
waiting, when I'm forced to wait. It's about the only time I'm not rushing
onto the next thing.

* Other than honing their craft, what advice would you give to Latino
poets looking to be published?

Write the book that you're least expected to write.

3. Success Story
"Dear Marcela,
I took the liberty to post my book trailer on your Facebook profile
because you helped make this happen. I read about the Chicano/Latino
Literary Prize for Best Unpublished Novel and submitted the manuscript
of Meet Me Under the Ceiba. Blessedly, it won the 2007 award. I knew
the contest existed, but I had placed it out of my mind until Latinidad
reminded me of the deadline. In October of this year Meet Me Under the
Ceiba will be out with Arte Publico Press. Thank you so much for
helping make this possible."
--Silvio Sirias, http://www.silviosirias.com/

4. Upcoming Workshops
WHAT:
Two workshops to be presented at the From Start to Sales V
Writer's Conference sponsored by the University of New Mexico
in conjunction with SouthWest Writers

1st workshop - How Editors Think
Do you think editors spend their days reading manuscripts?
Think again! If you want to understand why editors choose to
publish certain writers and reject the rest, learn how they think.
Topics discussed include: the three most common mistakes
writers make when trying to get published; the two most
important jobs of an editor (editing isn't one of them!); and the
number one quality editors look for in a writer.

2nd workshop - Publishing for Latinos
Finding the right publisher is difficult for any writer, but Latinos
face unique challenges--and opportunities. Topics discussed
include: the significance of Latinos to mainstream publishers;
writing in Spanish vs. English; dealing with the label of "Latino
Writer"; how to find a good agent and editor in a non-Latino
industry; overcoming cultural and social barriers, especially for
Latinas; and the most important thing you can do to ensure the
future success of Latino publishing.

WHEN: Saturday, April 25
How Editor Think workshop - 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Publishing for Latinos workshop - 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: UNM Continuing Education, Albuquerque, NM

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit
http://dce.unm.edu/writers-conference.htm

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

5. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION
Deadline: May 8
A prize of $2009 and publication in Atlanta Review will be given for a
single poem. For more information, visit http://www.atlantareview.com/
*****
PENGUIN INVITATION TO BLOGGERS
Penguin Group USA is inviting bloggers to an online forum tentatively
scheduled for the week of April 20th to establish clearer ground rules
for how they can best work with the blogging community and create
direct lines of access to their marketing and publicity groups. For
more information, visit
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/blogs/invitation-bloggers-get-know-pengui\
n-publicity-marketing-groups
*****
SELF-PUBLISHED COMPETITION
Deadline: May 1
Writer's Digest is searching for the best self-published books of the
past few years. Grand prize includes $3000. For more information,
visit: http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/
*****
HISPANIC PANIC! 2
Date: May 27, 8 p.m., free, 21+
NOWHERE presents HISPANIC PANIC! 2, an evening with six LGBT
Latino writers, bloggers and activists. Hosted by Charlie Vazquez
and featuring Karen Jaime, Charles Rice-Gonzalez, Cristina Izaguirre,
Larry La Fountain and Maegan La Mamita Mala Ortiz. NOWHERE is
located at 322 E14th St (btwn 1st/2nd) in the East Village, NYC.
*****
WAG'S REVUE CONTEST
Deadline: May 31
Wag's Revue invites you to enter its inaugural contests in fiction,
poetry, and creative nonfiction. First prize in each category receives
$500 and publication in Wag's Revue. For more information,
please visit http://www.wagsrevue.com/
*****
WRITERS DIGEST SEEKS STUDENT BLOGGER
Deadline: July 1
The winner of the MFA Confidential Contest will receive his or her own
addition to the close-knit Writers Digest family of blogs at
writersdigest.com. For more information, visit
http://www.writersdigest.com/mfacontest
*****
WORKSHOP WITH LILIANA VALENZUELA
Dates: July 12-19
Liliana Valenzuela is one of the foremost English-to-Spanish
translators in the word—a translator who is also, as author Cristina
Garcia notes, a superb poet in her own right. Liliana's workshop will
focus on the words that we use in our writing. "What is your particular
linguistic treasure trove?" she asks. "How can you use it to enrich
your writing?" For more information, visit
http://www.centrum.org/writing/2008/12/boundless-curiosity-the-work-of-liliana-v\
alenzuela-.html
*****
BOMB MAGAZINE
Deadline: August 31
BOMB Magazine accepts unsolicited poetry and prose submissions for
their literary pull-out First Proof by mail, from January 1 to August 31.
For more information, visit http://www.bombsite.com/
*****
LATINA VOICES SEEKS WRITERS
Teresa Puente, Columbia College Chicago journalism faculty member
and editor and publisher of the web site Latina Voices, seeks writers of
fiction and non-fiction. Latina Voices showcases stories by or about
Hispanic women. For more information, visit http://latina-voices.com
*****
EXAMINER.COM SEEKS AUTHORS
Puerto Rican author Mayra Calvani is the new National Latino Books
Examiner for Examiner.com. She'll be posting reviews, profiles,
interviews, news, and events to promote the work of Latino authors in
all genres. Visit her at
http://www.examiner.com/x-6309-Latino-Books-Examiner and
subscribe to her posts. If you're a Hispanic author who'd like to be
promoted, contact Mayra at mayra.calvani@...
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"To have great poets there must be great audiences too."
--Walt Whitman

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Latinidad – 3/09: Slice Magazine

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Celia Johnson
3. Upcoming Workshops: Before You Send It Out
4. Resources: Sandra Cisneros Workshop
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"Never having written a book before, just e-mailing Marcela felt
like the first day back at school after the summer vacation. However,
her professional, yet easy manner in which she responded immediately
put me at ease.
      After reviewing my edited manuscript and going over all of Marcela's
well-thought out suggestions, all I have to say is: thank God I had the
foresight and courage to contact her.
      The sixty-minute phone conference call was the `icing on the cake.'
Our conversation was both professionally and emotionally productive
as well as rewarding. Marcela has given me the confidence to go
forward with my writing career.
      I will quote back one of her own statements to me: bravo Marcela!"
--Marlene Zweben, author of "Deadly Secrets"

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Agents and editors often read literary magazines looking for new
writers. If you're not publishing your short stories, essays, and/or
poems in literary magazines, you're making it harder for them to find
you. One magazine that's getting a lot of attention is Slice, published
by two editors, one at Grand Central Publishing, one at Penguin. Read
this month's Q&A to learn more.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Celia Blue Johnson is a magazine publisher, a book editor, and a
freelance writer. She grew up running around barefoot in Australia
before moving to Texas and ultimately finding a home in Brooklyn.

* What inspired you to create a literary magazine?
Maria Gagliano and I were both working in editorial at a major
publishing house and we were disappointed to see that a lot of
promising writers weren't getting book deals based on the fact that
they didn't have a platform. So, we started Slice to provide emerging
writers with a place where their voices can be heard.

* You're an editor at Grand Central Publishing, and Maria Gagliano,
who co-founded Slice with you, is an editor at Penguin. How does
your book publishing experience influence how you run the magazine?
Our book publishing experience lends itself wonderfully to our
endeavor, because it provides us with insight about the industry as a
whole. We are able to see firsthand what obstacles new writers have
to overcome and we have used that information to shape our
magazine. It also allows us to spread the word about Slice to our
friends and colleagues within the industry. Several new writers have
found agents based on being published in our magazine, which is
very exciting.

* The diversity of writers featured, most notably Junot Diaz and
Manuel Munoz, is impressive, and makes Slice stand out among
literary magazines. Was diversity a conscious goal as you
developed Slice? If yes, how did you achieve it?
Cultural diversity wasn't one of our specific goals, but literary
diversity was. We wanted to include all sorts of writing, as long as it
was accessible, unique, and engaging. So, I think it was inevitable
that we would discover writers from a variety of backgrounds. Junot
Diaz and Manuel Munoz are both incredible writers, so we were
honored to have an opportunity to interview them for the magazine.

* When submitting their work to Slice for consideration, what one
thing should writers do to catch your eye? What one thing do you
consider a turn-off?
As I mentioned above, we're looking for writing that is accessible,
unique, and engaging. We're not looking for genre or experimental
fiction. Basically, we publish any story that we can't put down.

* Knowing what you know now, what advice would you offer to
someone who is thinking of launching a literary magazine?
Talk to other magazine publishers. There are so many literary
magazines out there and most publishers would be thrilled to share
their wisdom with you. You'll learn what obstacles to expect before
you encounter them, which is invaluable information.

* Where can writers send submissions?;
Writers can send their submissions to submissions@...
(we don't accept snail mail queries). They can also check out our
submission guidelines at http://www.slicemagazine.org/

3. Upcoming Workshops
Before You Send It Out, sponsored by Texas A&M University

WHAT: Agents and editors don't have time to read entire manuscripts.
So how do they choose which writers they want to work with? Proposals.
Regardless of whether you have a book for adults or children, in fiction
or nonfiction, you need a strong proposal. But while many writers
invest a significant amount of time, energy and money in crafting their
manuscripts, few know how to compose a proper proposal. In this
class, you will learn:
    * Why 90% of submissions are rejected based on the cover letter alone
    * The single most reliable—and free!—resource for finding a good agent
    * Three common, yet easily avoidable, mistakes writers make
    * A proposal's true purpose (hint: it's not to demonstrate talent)
WHEN: Thursday, March 26, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Visual Arts Gallery, Second Floor of Memorial Student Center,
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
FOR MORE INFO: Elise Elliott, elisemarie.elliott@...

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
SANDRA CISNEROS WORKSHOP
Application Deadline: April 10
Begun in 1998 by writer Sandra Cisneros, the Macondo Writing Workshop
is a unique gathering of writers working on geographic, cultural, economic,
social, and spiritual borders. For more information, visit
http://www.macondofoundation.org/
*****
MYSTERY/SUSPENCE AWARD
Deadline: March 16
The Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense is
accepting submissions by unpublished authors. For more information, visit
http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/pdf/Daphne/UnpubRules.pdf
*****
WANT TO BE THE LATINA OBAMA?
Deadline: March 27
The Latinas Learning to Lead Summer Youth Program promotes and fosters
the development of college-age Latina leaders through leadership training
and technical and practical experience during a one-week comprehensive
curriculum program in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit
http://www.nhli.org/
*****
OCTAVIA E. BUTLER SYMPOSIUM
Date: March 28
Medgar Evers College presents a daylong symposium honoring the work
and life of Octavia E. Butler, a master storyteller in the genre of
speculative fiction. Participants include L.A. Banks, Steven Barnes, and a
literary agent. For more information, visit
http://www.mec.cuny.edu/spcd/caddi/cbl.asp
*****
SLICE SPOTLIGHT COMPETITION
Deadline: April 1
One winner will be chosen as Slice's featured author in their Fall 2009
issue and as their Spotlight author online; the winner will also receive an
award of $100. For more information, visit
http://www.slicemagazine.org/spotlight_competition.php
*****
JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIPS
Deadline: April 6
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists offers scholarships to
a range of students, from incoming freshmen to graduate students. For
more information, visit
http://www.nahj.org/educationalprograms/nahjscholarships.shtml
*****
LATINO WRITER'S CONFERENCE INTERVIEWS
Conference Dates: May 20-24
The National Hispanic Cultural Center is hosting the 2009 7th Annual
National Latino Writer's Conference at the NHCC campus May 20-24. At
BronzeWord's Blog http://bronzeword.wordpress.com/ interviews with
the faculty are up every Saturday. Visit NHCC http://www.nhccnm.org/
to register for the conference.
*****
AWARD FOR SPANISH LANGUAGE FEMALE WRITERS
Deadline: June 1
The Aura Estrada Prize will be awarded biannually to a female writer, 35
or under, living in Mexico or the United States, who writes in Spanish.
The award includes residencies at Ucross, Ledig House, and Santa
Maddalena, plus Granta en Español will publish an excerpt of the
winner's writing. For more information, visit
http://www.auraestradaprize.org/auraestradaprize_eng.html
*****
GIRL SCOUTS SEEKS EDITOR IN CHIEF
The Editor in Chief–Program Publications leads and manages the overall
research, conceptualization, creation (writing, editing and design),
production, and publishing of multidisciplinary content related to
program for diverse girls in grades K-12 across the country. For
more information, visit
http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/careers/
*****
LIBERTY STATES FICTION WRITERS
Liberty States Fiction Writers is a multi-genre organization dedicated
to the education and support of all fiction writers. They provide
workshops and networking events to aid both published and
yet-to-be published writers. Whether you're trying to write and sell
your first book or your fortieth, the Liberty States Fiction Writers can
help. For more information, visit
http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"You learn by writing short stories. Keep writing short stories. The money's
in novels, but writing short stories keeps your writing lean and pointed."
--Larry Niven

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Latinidad – 2/09: Erotica

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Michelle Herrera Mulligan
3. Success Story: Nancy Pistorius
4. Upcoming Workshops: How Editors Think/After the Contract
5. Resources: Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"Ah, the room of one's own to write and become famous! How many of us have
the room but not the light turned on? Working with Marcela Landres is to have
that light switched on like a beacon. She offers canny, sharp advice to focus
you on your strengths and especially your weaknesses, those flabby places
where you need to build up muscle. Marcela identifies your soft spots and
edits to show you where your writing touches your vision and where you
diverge away and dilute your story. The recommendations were incisive,
generous with information and on time. Plus I found her presentation excellent
and engaging. Several months later, I am still using the elements of our
discussion to guide me as I do my revisions and new work. I feel like she
turned the light in the room back on."
--Mercedes D Bujans, author of "The Thousand Tongues of Rumour"

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
According to Publishers Weekly, Ellora's Cave, a successful e-book publisher
of erotic romances, saw a 20% growth in e-book sales from 2006 to 2007,
the same year Kensington, Avon, and Harlequin started new erotica imprints.
While the economy may be cold, erotica is clearly hot. Read this month's
Q&A with Michelle Herrera Mulligan, editor of the erotica anthology Juicy
Mangos, to learn more.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Michelle Herrera Mulligan is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, New York.
She co-edited Border-Line Personalities: A New Generation of Latinas Dish
on Sex, Sass, and Cultural Shifting. She edited and contributed a novella to
Juicy Mangos: Erotica Collection. Her articles have appeared in Latina,
Woman's Day, Time, and Publishers Weekly, among many other publications.
Keep an eye out for her upcoming web site:
www.michelleherreramulligan.com

* Juicy Mangoes is as smart as it is sultry--how did you come to edit an
erotica anthology?
Johanna Castillo, an editor at Atria Books, contacted me because she liked
Border-Line Personalities, my previous book, and thought I might be a
good fit. I guess she liked how contemporary and honest (and sexy) the
voices in Border-Line were, so she asked me to edit and contribute a story.
It was an incredible challenge for me, the first fiction I'd published. I loved
the opportunity to explore what excites the female libido (especially the
Latina libido)--I wanted to know: what are our darkest, most primal
desires? It was an intense writing exercise for me and for all the writers,
because ultimately, we all had to write great stories.

* How did you choose the writers who contributed the stories?
Two of the writers, the excellent novelists Sofia Quintero and Elisha Miranda,
were already on board when I came on to the project (They had originally
pitched the project to Johanna). We chose the others, Mayra Montero, Yxta
Maya Murray, Adriana Lopez, and Mayra Santos-Febres based on who we
thought were the most sensual yet imaginative writers out there. We wanted
women who had a lot of depth in their writing, along with the bravery to
take a lot of risks.

* What are the elements of good erotica?
Good erotica is believable. As the writer, your task is to create compelling
characters, and make us feel every moment with them. The writing is as
much about anticipation as it is about sexuality. The excitement comes
from what happens before the big scenes: Is he going to kiss her? Did she
brush against her shoulder on purpose? If you're able to build tension in
your stories, even a kiss can feel deeply erotic.

* What makes for bad erotica?
Bad erotica is cliche and vulgar. If your story depends on dirty words and
oversexed scenarios, it's not going to be good one. To be memorable, the
story has to be able to stand on its own, and the sex has to feel seamless,
something that reveals a layer of the characters' consciousness. Otherwise,
it will seem forced.

* Who is your agent and how did you meet him/her?
My agent is Joy Tutela, of the David Black Agency. I met her at a dinner
party and we instantly clicked. We've been great friends ever since.

* Other than honing their craft, what advice would you give to Latino writers
looking to land a book deal?
I know it's a cliche--I would say, network, network, network. Go to every
book fair, reading, and library event that hosts authors in the genre you're
interested in. Find out where everybody is going for drinks or coffee
afterward and join them. And don't be shy once you get there! I'm a huge
believer in saying exactly what you need out loud, over and over again.
Someday you'll be having drinks with somebody, and they'll say, "My best
friend is an agent. Your project sounds like something she'd be interested
in." I know in an economy like this, this sounds like a fantasy, but believe
me, it happens.

3. Success Story
"Hi Marcela!!!!

I have exciting news. I just learned yesterday morning that I'm a winner
(in the Fiction category) in the 2009 Langston Hughes Creative Writing
Contest. I submitted the first pages of my "Peking Duck" novel, the one
that you critiqued for me. Your remarks were so complimentary that they
gave me the confidence to submit it to this competition, instead of just
letting it continue to fester in my desk drawer with all my other
"probably-not -good-enough-to-send-out" novels.

The awards ceremony (and a cool program of entertainment celebrating
Langston Hughes' birthday) is taking place on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. in
the Lawrence Arts Center auditorium in Lawrence, KS. I'll be reading from
the novel, and get a nice check, plus my name on a gold plaque
permanently hanging in the Arts Center.

How cool is that?!!! ;-)

Thanks again, wonderful, dear Marcela (and fellow Brassy, Busty Sister)
for giving me a gentle kick in the right direction.

Hope that 2009 is your BEST year EVER!!!!"
--Nancy Pistorius, author of "Peking Duck"
http://www.nancypistorius.com/
http://natja.org/member/nancypistorius
http://lyriclemon.livejournal.com/

4. Upcoming Workshops
WHAT: Two workshops sponsored by First Coast Romance Writers,
http://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/

How Editors Think
Do you think editors spend their days reading manuscripts? Think
again! If you want to understand why editors choose to publish
certain writers and reject the rest, learn how they think. Topics
discussed include: the three most common mistakes writers make
when trying to get published; the two most important jobs of an
editor (editing isn't one of them!); and the number one quality
editors look for in a writer.

After the Contract
Knowing what comes after you sign a book contract can make or
break your book's future. Topics discussed include: the true
relationship between publisher and author; the supreme
importance of author questionnaires; editing vs. copyediting; an
introduction to your publishing team: cover designer, sales rep,
publicist, etc.; and the real role of the author in the publishing
process.

WHEN: Saturday, February 14, 11 a.m.

WHERE: West Regional Library: 1425 Chaffee Road, Jacksonville, FL

WHO: Marcela Landres is the author of the e-book How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You, and is the publisher of
the award-winning e-zine Latinidad. An Editorial Consultant who
helps writers get published by editing their work and educating
them on the business side of publishing, she was formerly an
editor with Simon & Schuster.

FOR MORE INFO: Barbara Ferrer, Fashionista35@...

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

5. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL AWARD
Deadline: February 8
Authors Sue Monk Kidd and Sue Grafton, agent Barney Karpfinger, and
Penguin Press Editor-in-Chief Eamon Dolan lead this year's expert panel.
If you're an author with an unpublished novel waiting to be discovered, visit
http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-
Novel-Award-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=332264011
*****
HARVARD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Deadline: February 13
Harvard University seeks to attract candidates, especially those from
underrepresented ethnic minority groups, to administrative careers in
higher education. For more information, visit
http://www.oap.harvard.edu/afp/
*****
BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL SEEKS VENDORS
Early Registration Discount Deadline: February 15
The Festival is now accepting vendor applications for 2009. The 2008
Brooklyn Book Festival was a huge success, attracting over 20,000
attendees, 100 exhibitors, and about 150 authors such as Esmeralda
Santiago, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, and Jonathan Lethem. To apply, visit
http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/
*****
BREAD LOAF WRITERS CONFERENCE
Financial Aid Application Deadline: March 3
General Application Deadline: March 20
Dates: August 12-23
The Bread Loaf Writers' Conference is one of America's most valuable
literary institutions. The annual conference includes lectures, craft classes,
and meetings with editors and agents, readings by faculty and guests, and
workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Writers who have
attended in the past include Toni Morrison, Walter Mosley, and Julia
Alvarez. For more information, visit
http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/blwc/
*****
INTERNATIONAL LATINO BOOK AWARDS
Deadline: March 13
Nominations are now available for books with a 2008 publication date.
For more information, visit http://lbff.us/
*****
RANDOM HOUSE INTERNSHIP
Deadline: March 30
Random House's internship program is geared to students between their
junior and senior years in college, and has been called "a first rate
publishing internship" by The Princeton Review. For more information, visit
http://careers.randomhouse.com/Interns/Summer-Internship-Programs.html
*****
$10,000 VISITING SCHOLAR FUND
Deadline: March 31
The Latin American and Iberian Institute and the Division of Iberian
and Latin American Resources of the University of New Mexico invite
applications from U.S. and international scholars. For more information, visit:
http://laii.unm.edu/
*****
WORKSHOP FOR WRITERS OF COLOR
Deadline: April 7
VONA (The Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation) is dedicated to nurturing
writers through the traditions, perspectives, and aesthetics of writers of
color. Founded by Junot Diaz, Elmaz Abinader, and Diem Jones, the faculty
has included Terry McMillan, Martin Espada, and Willie Perdomo. For more
information, visit: http://www.voicesatvona.org/
*****
JUST PUBLISHED: PELE, KING OF SOCCER
Monica Brown, the award-winning author of "My Name is Gabito: The Life of
Gabriel García Márquez" has just published a new bilingual book from
HarperCollins Rayo. "Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El Rey de Futbol" tells the
story of the Brazilian soccer legend who inspired thousands of children to
dream big. Find out more about Monica's books at
http://www.monicabrown.net/
*****
BRONZEWORD'S BLOG
BronzeWord's Blog offers information on Latino writers, book awards, new
releases, agents and editors, writing techniques, contests, and marketing
strategies to achieve your writing goals. New writers supported. Teens
have space to publish writing. For more information, visit
http://bronzeword.wordpress.com
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"Literature is all, or mostly, about sex."
--Anthony Burgess

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Latinidad – 1/09: Practically Posh Writing Advice

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Robyn Moreno
3. Upcoming Workshops: One-Day Workshop in New York City
4. Resources: Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez Workshops
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"I met Marcela many years ago and hoped that one day I would have the
opportunity to work with her on a writing project. I thought she was
passionate about publishing, creative, and incredibly positive. My wish
came true recently, and I can honestly say that she was worth the wait.
During our association, I was completely overwhelmed by the vast
knowledge she has about the publishing industry, and the mechanics
involved in creating the optimal conditions for the success of my book.
She is diligent, direct, and honest, as well as very kind and positive. For
every issue she spots, she has at least three suggestions. Handing over
`your baby' can be a terrifying experience. But in Marcela's hands, I
know that no matter what she has to say about the work, she always has
my heart in mind, and my success as a goal."
--Johanna Siegmann, author of Tao of Tango, http://www.taooftango.com/

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
There's never a good time to start a family, a business, or a writing
career. It's either an inconvenient time or a bad time—like the current
economy. Don't be daunted. You can still write; just do so strategically.
To help you get started, read this month's Q&A with Robyn Moreno,
author of Practically Posh: The Smart Girl's Guide to a Glam Life. Robyn
gives great advice on how to be practically posh in every aspect of your
life, including your writing life.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Robyn Moreno is the author of Practically Posh: The Smart Girl's Guide
to a Glam Life and an editor at a fashion site from Turner Media. She
has written fashion, travel, and lifestyle articles for Elle, InStyle,
Glamour, Latina, Woman's Day, and The New York Daily News among
others. She is the co-author of Suave: The Latin Male, a fashion book
about Latino style icons and is the co-editor of Border-line Personalities:
A New Generation of Latinas Dish on Sex, Sass, and Cultural Shifting, an
honest and irreverent anthology about life as a modern Latina. Robyn
is also a spokesperson for Woman's Day magazine and has been a
frequent guest editor on The Today Show, CNBC, The Mike and Juliet
Show, Better TV, Plum TV, NY1, and the CBS2 Early Morning Show.
Her website is http://bepracticallyposh.com/.

* Which author or book inspires you, and why?
I really love Alice Munro. She adroitly captures the heartbreak,
tenderness, and banality of life.

* Why do you love to write?
It's always what I have done. I don't know that I am the best writer.
But I'm probably a secret know-it-all, :) so if I can share some
wisdom, or even let someone in on something I'm struggling with that
day or year, then I feel we have connected, and maybe I affected
someone? That has value to me.

* What is your writing ritual?
I write best in the mornings, when I am fresh and relaxed and can
access my thoughts. Besides that, I can write almost anywhere. I wrote
much of Practically Posh living on a couch by a highway; I am truly a
budget babe!

* Who is your agent and how did you meet him/her?
Joy Tutela of the David Black Literary Agency, she is the best! I met
her through a colleague when I had the idea for a Latina anthology,
which became Border-Line Personalities. She is a great champion,
supporter, and friend.

* You've been a successful magazine and book writer for years—could
you share some practically posh tips on how to start and/or manage a
career as a writer, even during these tough economic times?
Blog, blog, blog. Print jobs are falling by the wayside, so you have to
create your own vehicle and audience, and luckily, in this day and age,
it's something you can easily do. Many, many bloggers are getting book
deals because they can prove they have a following.

3. Upcoming Workshops
One-Day Workshop in New York City

WHAT: Please join award-winning writer/journalist Michael P. Geffner,
former Simon & Schuster book editor Marcela Landres, and former
Scholastic children's book editor Eileen Robinson for three infinitely
enlightening hours on the world of big-time publishing.

WHEN: Sunday, January 18th, 1-4 p.m. (with 4-5 p.m. for consultations)

WHERE: A restaurant in Forest Hills, Queens (easy to reach by car or subway)

TO REGISTER: Visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html for more
information.

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
ALISA VALDES-RODRIGUEZ WORKSHOPS
Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, bestselling author of six novels, including "The
Dirty Girls Social Club," is offering writing workshops on a variety of topics
including: Novel Foundations, The Music-Word Connection, Chica Lit 101,
and Writing as Business. For more information, visit
http://alisaworkshops.blogspot.com/
*****
CHILDREN'S BOOK ONLINE BOOT CAMP
Dates: January 16-March 14
Get your first chapters ready for mid-winter and spring conferences! Spend
8 weeks with two professional editors to polish your manuscript, improve
your skills, and get ready for submission. For more information, visit
http://www.f1rstpages.com/
*****
NOVELLA CONTEST
Deadline: January 31
Quarterly West offers $1000 and publication for a novella. For more
information, visit http://www.quarterlywest.utah.edu/
*****
$45,000 INTERNATIONAL WRITERS FELLOWSHIP
Deadline: February 15
Brown University offers $45,000 to an established international writer who
is unable to practice free expression in his or her homeland. For more
information, visit
http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Literary_Arts/IWP/
*****
FICTION AWARD
Deadline: February 15
The Julia Peterkin Award offers $1000 and travel expenses for a reading at
Converse College for a work of fiction. Submit either a short story or a
novel chapter. For more information, visit
http://www.converse.edu/academics/majors/peterkinjuliaaward.html
*****
ESSAY AWARD
Deadline: February 16
The Florida Review offers $1000 and publication for an essay. For more
information, visit http://www.flreview.com/
*****
POETRY MANUSCRIPT COMPETITION
Deadline: February 16
The National Poetry Series offers $1000 and publication for a book-length
poetry manuscript by a participating publisher, including HarperCollins and
Penguin. For more information, visit http://www.nationalpoetryseries.org/
*****
CREATIVE NONFICTION PRIZE
Deadline: March 1
The University of Nebraska Press offers $1000 and publication for a
book-length manuscript of creative nonfiction. For more information, visit
http://www.ashland.edu/riverteeth/index2.htm
*****
CHICA LIT CLUB FIESTA
Dates: July 24-27
Join the top authors in contemporary U.S. Latina literature as they celebrate
their work and cultura in a weekend of fun, fashion, books, workshops,
parties, film-screenings and more! This year's fiesta is limited to just 140
guests, so reserve your space now by visiting
http://chicalitclub.blogspot.com/
*****
WORDS WITHOUT BORDERS SEEKS EDITOR
Words Without Borders, the online magazine for international literature, is
looking for a volunteer blog editor to write at least one blog post per day
related to the international literary and translation community. Content
should be varied and cover literary festivals, readings, international and
national publishing, and media on other sites including YouTube. The blog
editor will coordinate with correspondents and columnists to ensure that
content on the site is varied and truly global. Candidates must have a strong
interest in international literature, as well as a familiarity with the
international press and other media venues. Candidates should know how
to successfully conduct advanced searches and be generally web savvy. The
blog editor reports to the editor and editorial director. This is an unpaid,
volunteer position. Words Without Borders is a nonprofit organization. To
apply please send two clips and three ideas for blog posts to Rohan
Kamicheril at rohan@...
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple:
editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home."
--John Campbell

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Nominate Marcela Landres for Best of Yahoo! Groups

If you like my e-zine Latinidad, please nominate it for the Best
of Yahoo! Groups. Here's how:

1. Go to http://tinyurl.com/6ffjta
(If for some reason the above link doesn't work, here's the full url:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/best_of_groups/?
ch=web&pub=groups&sec=bestOfGroups&t=bestofyahoogroups)

2. Click the "Post" link on the left-hand side of the page

3. In the subject line of the post type "Group Nomination" (otherwise
it will be deleted as spam)

4. In the body of the post type "Marcela Landres" which is the name
of my Yahoo! Group

5. In the body of the post include the following link to my Yahoo! Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/

6. In the body of the post describe why the Marcela Landres Yahoo!
Group should be featured on the "Best of Groups" page

It is because of your past nominations that Latinidad was chosen as
one of the 101 Best Web Sites for Writers by Writer's Digest Magazine
and the Best Writer's Resource in the category of Writer's
Resource/Information/News in the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll, so
these nominations really do count. Thanks in advance for your support!

With gratitude,
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
Web Site: http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – 12/08: Best of 2008

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Article: An Author's Holiday Wish List
3. The Latinidad List
4. Upcoming Workshops: Winter Words Conference
5. Resources: Latino Writer Prize
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"I was about to shoot myself in the foot by submitting to prospective agents
a manuscript needing revisions, a self-defeating query letter and a
confusing synopsis. Fortunately, a whiff of uncharacteristic cautiousness
prompted me to send the materials to Marcela--one of the soundest moves
I've made. Her editing of the start of the manuscript was spot-on and
provided a direction for editing the rest on my own; I wound up cutting
15,000 words, or 12%, of the novel. A greatly simplified synopsis fell in
place, and my new query letter looks nothing at all like the original. Her
tips about building a platform are compelling and not especially onerous.
Our phone conference was productive and enjoyable. Marcela has put
together a well-organized, robust consulting program that I heartily
recommend."--Burt Michaels, author of "Speechless"

Ready to work with a professional editor? Visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Given the current economy, you're probably looking for ways to trim your
holiday budget. Make your dollars stretch by giving books as gifts. Have
a gamer for a nephew? Give him the official guidebook to his favorite
video game. Got a foodie for a best friend? Get her a cookbook. Is your
boss a golf fanatic? Buy him his favorite golfer's autobiography. There's
a perfect book for every person on your list, even the one whose
personal library consists of the Yellow Pages. Before you shop, read
Sofia Quintero's "An Author's Holiday Wish List" to understand why
buying books is important for all writers. Then peruse this year's
Latinidad List for inspiration on books to buy for you and yours. To
nominate a book for next year's list (one you wrote or read) please
e-mail me at marcelalandres@....

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Article
An Author's Holiday Wish List by Sofia Quintero

"During this season of giving, I'd like to humbly request that you bestow
a present on your favorite author. Publishing is an increasingly difficult
industry, complicated by the mystery of how it actually does and does
not work to our readers. That is, the folks who may appreciate us the
most tend to know the least about what we go through to get that book
into your hands. As a result, sometimes our biggest fans do things–or
fail to do things–that hurt our ability to get that next book to you.

Here are things you can do to be sure that your favorite author can
continue to serve your entertainment and/or enlightenment needs next
year and beyond. They cost little to no time or money, and make all
the difference.

* Buy your copy. To properly feed you favorite author, you must buy the
book, LOL! Seriously, it's that simple. If you borrow if from your friend
and then pass it on to your cousin, of course, we're flattered. But we're
also in trouble. The biggest thing that makes the publishing house think,
"This is an author we should keep publishing," is book sales. Word of
mouth only helps an author if it translates into more books sold not
borrowed. There's no way to track borrowed books so please, if you can
afford it, buy our books rather than borrow them from someone else.

* Buy the book for someone else. In general, books are fantastic gifts
because there's one for every person, even the one who hates to read.
Now to give back specifically to your favorite author, buy the book you
love most and give it to someone else who you think will love it, too.
Don't just tell him or her, "You have to read this," and hope they do.
And because it bears repeating, certainly don't give that person your
copy, LOL! Buy the book for them. If you can get it autographed, that's
a special touch, and most authors love to oblige if you cover the
postage and give us enough time. Chances are that if you go to such a
length to stand by your recommendation, the person will actually make
the time to read it. There's no better way for a fan of an author to show
his or her appreciation than by recruiting new readers to our work.

* Ask for it at the library. Not all people who love to read can afford to
buy books, but you can still support your favorite author through your
local public library. Simply ask the librarian to order copies of our
books if the neighborhood branch doesn't already have them. In their
diligent effort to serve you, librarians do keep track of such requests as
well as monitor which books are borrowed most frequently. Get your
favorite author on your librarian's radar, and you have done an
incredibly helpful thing."

To read the rest of the article, please visit Sofia Quintero's blog at
http://tinyurl.com/6ph3wk

3. The Latinidad List

Literary Fiction – The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez
Every character is simultaneously original and familiar.

Poetry – Unfinished Portrait by Luivette Resto
Grounded in the reality that is the U.S. Latino experience.

Chick Lit – More Than This by Margo Candela
Though a happy ending is certain, you can't wait to get there.

Thriller – Gunmetal Black by Daniel Serrano
If Elmore Leonard were Nuyorican this is the novel he would write.

History – A Universal History of the Destruction of Books by Fernando Baez
Mind candy for the brainiacs in your life.

Lifestyle – Practically Posh by Robyn Moreno
Thrifty tips on living well, perfect for our tough economic times.

Cookbook – Simply Delicioso by Ingrid Hoffman
Fun and flavorful everyday meals that won't take all day to cook.

Young Adult – Amor and Summer Secrets by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
A Philadelphia princess goes to Puerto Rico and finds her Latinidad.

Middle Grade – The Smell of Old Lady Perfume by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez
The original title gives a glimpse of the poetic lines peppered throughout
this poignant debut.

Picture Book - Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez
Finally—a charming tale that doesn't involve abuelitas, tamales or pinatas.

4. Upcoming Workshops
Winter Words Conference

WHAT: Panel subjects include Agent Panel, Children's Literature,
Hot publishing trends and books for 2009, How to develop a
fiction series, Literary Fiction, Living the Adventure, Memoir, Niche
Writing (business, feature, science, travel), Sports Writing and Young
Adult Literature. Marcela Landres will present a Pitch Your Book
workshop.

WHEN: Saturday, December 6th, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

WHERE: Fairfield Public Library, 1080 Old Post Road,
Fairfield, CT 06824

FOR MORE INFO: Visit http://www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

5. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
LATINO WRITER PRIZE
Deadline: December 31
$1000 and publication by Curbstone Press are given for a first book of fiction
by a Latino writer. For more information, visit http://www.curbstone.org/
*****
SELF-PUBLISHING WORKSHOP
Date: December 6
Four-hour workshop led by bestselling author Karen E. Quinones Miller
covering a variety of topics, including: Setting up your own publishing
company; obtaining ISBNs; copyrighting your book; getting distributors;
and marketing your book. For more information, visit
http://writers.aalbc.com/aalbc_com_worhshops_for_writers.htm
*****
SEEKING DOMINCAN WOMEN WRITERS
Deadline: January 1
The anthology, Quisqueyanas: Contemporary Writings by Dominican
Women, seeks submissions from Dominican women living on the island or
women of Dominican descent living in the U.S. Submissions may include
fiction, creative nonfiction, personal essays, and memoirs. For more
information, visit
http://www.erikammartinez.com/english/projects.html
*****
NEA TRANSLATION FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: January 9
The National Endowment for the Arts grants $12,500 to $25,000 to
translators of poetry and prose. For more information, visit
http://www.nea.gov/grants/APPLY/LitTranslation/index.html
*****
POETRY RESIDENCY
Deadline: January 15
The University of Mississippi gives $1500 and a one-month residency to
a poet working on a manuscript. For more information, visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/english/mfa/SPiR.html
*****
AWARD FOR STUDENTS
Deadline: January 15
The Hurston/Wright Foundation gives $1000 to recognize excellence in
fiction writing by a student of African descent enrolled full-time in a U.S.
college or graduate school. For more information, visit
http://www.hurston-wright.org/
*****
SHORT STORY COLLECTION PRIZE
Deadline: January 15
$1000 and publication by BkMk Press is given for a short story collection.
For more information, visit http://www.umkc.edu/bkmk/
*****
SEEKING LATINO HUMOR WRITERS
Eljumpingbean.com seeks intelligent voices of color with a sense of
humor. Their goal is to produce high quality and thoughtful content
that provides a satirical skewering of anything and everything, whilst
providing a springboard for some down and dirty discussion. For more
information, visit http://eljumpingbean.blogspot.com/
*****
EMERGENCY GRANTS
Human Rights Watch/Hellman-Hammett Grants give up to $3000 to
writers who have an urgent need to leave their country, are facing a
medical emergency, or are otherwise in dire financial circumstances.
For more information, visit http://www.hrw.org/en/node/75288
*****
SEEKING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN WRITING
The New School invites applications from accomplished fiction writers
with a strong academic or belle-lettristic orientation for a full-time,
tenure-track assistant professor position. For more information, visit
https://careers.newschool.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?
time=1228010673345
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"Money is like muck, not good except it be spread."--Francis Bacon

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
Free e-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Latinidad – November 2008: Why Voting is a Creative Act

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Latino Writers and the Election
3. Upcoming Workshops: Winter Words Conference
4. Resources: $3000 Fall Fiction Contest
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"Anyone thinking of taking a novel into the public market must consult Marcela
first. I know it's an expense, and money's tight--it's always tight--but Marcela
did more for me than correct grammar and straighten ideas. She pointed out
the lack of progression and character development in my novel. She suggested
CD's and books I'm only beginning to use. She gave me real directions on how
to start a writing career. I used one CD she recommended and realized my
book was only a third finished. My friends couldn't do that. If it's a matter of
time, make time to work with Marcela. If it's a matter of money, she's worth
every dime. I feel as if I received honest mentoring from someone in the
publishing business and made a friend at the same time. If you choose not to
work with her, that's OK too; the publishing market is hard enough already
and I really don't need the competition."
--Luis Alvarenga, author of "Confessions of an Internet Pornographer"

      If you are ready to work with a professional editor, visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Unless you are a political writer, you probably don't consciously think about
politics when you write. Yet, the government wields enormous influence
over your writing life. Politicians decide how much (or how little) money to
allocate towards the arts, libraries, and schools. If art funding is cut, how
many non-profit presses and literary journals will disappear? If library
budgets decrease, how many of the remaining dollars will be spent on
Latino books? If educational resources dwindle, how much time and
attention will be devoted to creative writing classes?

Voting is not only a political act; it is a creative one. With your pen or
keyboard, you shape future generations of readers and writers, but voting
is how you shape your future. You create your art by writing, and you
create your country by voting.

On November 4th, put down your pens, walk away from your keyboards,
and vote. Don't vote alone. Grab your abuelita, best friend, significant other,
boss, staff, preacher, congregation, teacher, class, mentors, and protégées
and make sure they vote too. On this election, it is not sufficient for
individuals to vote—we must vote as a community.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
I posed the follow question to various writers: Given that the President
makes decisions that affect the arts, why is it important that Latino writers
—as members of the largest minority in the U.S. and as members of the
artistic community—vote on November 4th? Below are their answers.

"This election demonstrates that our government officials and wannabes
want us and the world to believe that a typical American is "Joe Six Pack',
`Joe the Plumber', and `Soccer Mom.' These stereotypes are meant to
counter the terror-induced image of Americans as intellectual, high minded,
eloquent. These luddites don't openly say that Joe Six Pack, Joe the Plumber
and Soccer Moms don't read, don't go to museums, don't think too much or
too deeply about anything beyond the basic necessities. That might be
offensive. But they loudly proclaim that the `average American' prefers to
drink reality into oblivion through liquor, are obsessed with sewage, and prefer
to stand on the sidelines while someone else runs after the ball. It is up to
intellectuals and artists to proudly and loudly elevate the discourse and to
ennoble and dignify what it means to be an average or typical American. These
are not issues of ethnicity or race. They are issues of citizenship."
—Esmeralda Santiago, author of "When I Was Puerto Rican," "Almost a
Woman," "America's Dream," and "The Turkish Lover"

"As I'm thinking about the upcoming election, the needs of our nation are
far more important than my personal needs as a writer. Our nation is
facing enormous challenges--a financial crisis, two wars, a health care
crisis, a broken education system--that hit the lowest on the
socio-economic ladder, including many Latinos, hardest. We can't thrive
as individuals or as artists if all our time and energy is spent on the
struggle to survive.

Latino writers, many of us immigrants or the children of immigrants, are
especially sensitive to the importance of financial and social stability.
We value the rights we are granted here, including freedom of speech. When
we vote for a candidate who will work to improve living conditions for all
Americans, and not just those on the upper tiers of society, then we all
benefit, including the writers and artists."
—Marta Acosta, author of "Happy Hour at Casa Dracula," "Midnight Brunch,"
and "The Bride of Casa Dracula"

"No one said it better than Audre Lorde. She wrote, "Poetry is not a luxury. It
is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of the light within
which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change, first
made into language, then into idea, then into more tangible action." As a
cultural activist, I've witnessed the veracity of this statement time and again.
But the myth that art and entertainment are apolitical not only remains
pervasive, it hurts most those communities who have a history of
marginalization in the United States. Even a cursory glance at the history of
social movements in this country will reveal a strong artistic component.

Latin@s may be the fastest growing minority in the U.S., but I think the
current presidential campaign proves that the Black-White racial paradigm
continues to exist. Art and entertainment is the way we assert our visibility,
imprinting the collective consciousness with our views of the way the world
is but also our vision of how it could be. This is true whether we write
literary magical realism or commercial "chica lit." Therefore, Latin@ artists
of all stripes must get to the polls on November 4th to support the
candidate we believe will invest in the arts and unequivocally stand
against censorship regardless of his personal views and aesthetic."
--Sofia Quintero, President of Sister Outsider Entertainment, and author
of "Divas Don't Yield" and the Black Artemis hip hop novels.

"Funding the arts is like funding health insurance in this country. It's the
first to be cut when times are hard. The arts are important in so many ways,
especially to children. Writing, playing a musical instrument, singing,
painting, drawing--the whole spectrum of the creative arts--is a way that
kids, especially at risk kids, can express themselves in a constructive way. I
know that throughout my life I've written in my journal to express my
thoughts and feelings especially at difficult times. At some point, journal
writing became fiction writing and I love it! So, vote for the presidential
ticket that will support the arts."
--L.M. Gonzalez, author of "Too Late for Romance?"

"As a travel writer, I live on the road, so have seen firsthand how the Bush
Administration has devastated our standing in the international community.
On November 4th, we have a precious opportunity to reverse the terrifying
direction our nation has taken. And that is by casting our ballots for Barack
Obama. He is beloved throughout the globe: Kenya, Indonesia, Cuba,
Venezuela, Jordan, Germany--even France. He alone has the potential to
restore people's faith in us. We must vote for him not just as writers or
Latinos but as citizens of the world."
--Stephanie Elizondo Griest, author most recently of "Mexican Enough:
My Life Between the Borderlines"

"I cut my satirist fangs on Ronald Reagan when I was a college newspaper
cartoonist, so my gut, (and this election year) tells me John McCain is easy
prey. McCain would guarantee gaffes and unintended hilarious viejito moves
for at least 4 years. But his--or President Palin's--arts strategy would likely
be to promote arts suitable only for the discount racks of Wal-Mart.

But I'll take one for the team: Vote Obama, and put political satirists out
of work!"
--Lalo Alcaraz is a nationally syndicated cartoonist, and author of "Migra
Mouse: Political Cartoons on Immigration," "La Cucaracha: The First Collection
from the Daily Comic Strip," and illustrator of "Latino USA, A History of
Latinos in the US" by Ilan Stavans.

3. Upcoming Workshops
Winter Words Conference

WHAT: Panel subjects include Agent Panel, Children's Literature, Hot
Publishing Trends and Books for 2009, How to Develop a Fiction Series,
Literary Fiction, Living the Adventure, Memoir, Niche Writing (business,
feature, science, travel), Sports Writing and Young Adult Literature. There
will be book sales and signings all day long.

In addition, a limited number of manuscripts will be accepted on a first
come first served basis for review by editors Marcela Landres (adult) and
Eileen Robinson (children's). Manuscripts and full payment must be received
by November 20th.

WHEN: Saturday, December 6th, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

WHERE: Fairfield Public Library, 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

FOR MORE INFO: Visit http://www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
$3000 FALL FICTION CONTEST
Deadline: November 30
Narrative magazine is seeking short shorts, short stories, and excerpts from
longer works of fiction. For more information, visit
http://narrativemagazine.com/
*****
WRITING YOUR NOVEL
Date: Sat. Nov. 15th, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Upper Marlboro, MD
Cost: $90.00
Workshop co-sponsored by Strebor Publishing (Zane's Publishing House)
Led by Essence bestselling author, Karen E. Quinones Miller, this 3 ½ hour
workshop is designed to aid with plot assessment and structure
development. Topics covered in this writing intensive workshop include:
point of view, character development, story structure, self-editing, finding
the time to write, overcoming writer's block, writing believable dialogue,
setting a scene, to outline or not to outline--that is the question. To
register, contact Karen E. Quinones Miller at authorkeqm@...
*****
PHONE-IN PUBLICITY SEMINARS
Date: November 21
Publicity expert Bella Stander offers seminars that include: the
lowdown on promoting your book like a pro; Q&A session; individual
15-minute follow-up consultation; and $25 discount on first hour of
additional consulting. For more information, visit
http://www.bookpromotion101.com/
*****
CALL FOR NONFICTION SUBMISSIONS
Deadline: December 31
The Truth About the Fact: An International Journal of Literary Nonfiction is
seeking nonfiction essays, memoirs, and nonfiction poetry. For more
information, visit http://www.thetruthaboutthefact.com/
*****
BUZZ YOUR BOOK ONLINE CLASS
Dates: January 5 - February 2
By the end of the "Buzz Your Book" class, you will have a customized
marketing plan for your book and your book only. Authors from
MacAdam/Case, Ballantine, Penguin and SMP have taken this class, as well
as publicists and editors from Tor, Wylie and Simon & Schuster. The
instructor, M.J. Rose (http://www.mjrose.com/), is an international
bestselling author and has been on the Today Show, Fox News, and CNN. For
more information, please visit http://www.bksp.org/content/view/141/2/
*****
ANNUAL SPRING WRITERS FESTIVAL
Dates: March 6 - 8
The festival at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee features workshops,
talks, panels, manuscript reviews, and pitch sessions. For more information,
visit http://www4.uwm.edu/SCE/course.cfm?id=13682
*****
LAKE TAHOE WRITERS CONFERENCE
Date: June 12 - 14
Open to both beginners and advanced writers of nonfiction, fiction, travel
writing, articles, TV/movie script writing, poetry, and more. The conference
also teaches how to create a book from your business with a panel of
professionals who have done this. For more information, visit
http://www.laketahoewritersconference.com/
*****
PENGUIN SEEKS SENIOR PRODUCTION EDITOR
Penguin seeks a Senior Production Editor for its Grosset & Dunlap division.
For details, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/jobs.html
*****
PENGUIN SEEKS ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR/MANAGING EDITOR
Penguin is looking for an Associate Managing Editor or Managing Editor
(depending on experience) for Razorbill, their innovative young adult imprint.
For details, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/jobs.html
*****
LATINAS, LOVE, AND MEN SURVEY
Cindy Rodriguez, journalist extraordinaire, is doing research for a book
about Latinas and what they think about love and men. She's put together
a quick 10-question survey and welcomes you to share your thoughts. To
take the survey, visit
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nxT5K4bPgFs6vhTxMocj0g_3d_3d
Please forward the link to fellow Latinas. For more information about Cindy,
visit
http://cindyrodriguez.wordpress.com/
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote."
-- William E. Simon

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Latinidad – October 2008: Johanna Castillo

Contents:
1. Saludos
2. Q&A: Johanna Castillo
3. Upcoming Workshops: Wisconsin Book Festival
4. Resources: $50,000 Gift of Freedom Award
***************************************************************
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
"As a writer of fiction and for theater, I had the opportunity a few years
ago, with the award of a Pen USA West Emerging Voices Rosenthal
Fellowship, to work on my first book. I thought I had written a novel of
interrelated short stories. I shared it with friends trusting they would
give honest feedback, which they did. I participated in writing groups
and finally felt somewhat ready to submit it for publication. Although
offered a few `almosts' to publish, in the end, I got many rejections.
      I made the decision to find a professional editor, someone whose
special skills include a sensibility toward the culture and language
represented in my writing, work that sometimes mingles English with
Spanish. I was introduced to Marcela Landres. I found that, with her
wealth of editing experience, she was the person for my work. She
returned my manuscript edited to the last detail. She refers to her work
as sculpting. Although I had sculpted a piece of art, she took away the
excess clay, freeing me as an artist to use the remaining clay to create
a new sculpture, to rework and recreate my art.
      In addition to her editing skills, Marcela Landres offers many
excellent suggestions about how to nurture one's writing career. Part
of the contract includes a sixty-minute phone call I found both
enjoyable and productive. I am very satisfied with her work on my
book and am reworking it based on her detailed suggestions. It is easy
to implement her feedback. She was able to bring forward each story
as unique, while still linking them nicely together. Her patient,
detailed editing was just what I needed. I recommend Marcela Landres
for writers ready for a professionally critical eye."
--Carolina Rivera, author of "Stories From America's Backyard"

If you are ready to work with a professional editor, visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Johanna Castillo joined Simon & Schuster in 2005 and has been
instrumental in building a formidable Latino publishing program.
Johanna is one of those rare commodities that the book business
sorely needs: an astute businessperson who is also a staunch
bibliophile. Hailing from Ecuador, she brings a much-needed
international perspective to an industry that is not receptive enough
to talent beyond our borders. To learn more, including how to
submit your work to Johanna, read this month's Q&A.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Johanna is a native Latina from Ecuador. She is a Senior Editor at Atria
Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, developing a list of authors
for the Latino-Hispanic market. Johanna specializes in bringing the
Latino culture together and representing the voices of all those Latinos
who have a success story to share. Her passion for this area of the
market originates from her firm belief in the great impact Latinos have
on the U.S. Atria books launched the line with Laura Esquivel's novel
Malinche and The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra, which became an
instant New York Times bestseller.

Prior to joining Atria Books she was a literary agent at Sanford J.
Greenburger Associates, Inc. where she developed a list of Latino
clients. Johanna is a graduate from The City University of New York,
Baruch College. She is interested in publishing Latino literary fiction
and commercial fiction in both Spanish and English.

* Why is Atria a great home for Latino writers?
One of Atria's goals is to create an environment where our authors can
flourish. We also publish our Latino authors under the same umbrella
as all of our other authors because we believe that Latino voices should
be read by everyone. We are very dedicated to our authors and always
look at their long term writing careers. But what makes Atria even more
special is that we are committed to transmitting messages from national
and international voices that will entertain and also enlighten the lives of
our readers by celebrating different cultures.

* Which Latino authors have you published?
Laura Esquivel, Javier Sierra, Fabiola Santiago, Michelle Herrera Mulligan,
Anjanette Delgado and many other wonderful Latino writers.

* What kinds of manuscripts do you seek?
In fiction, I am interested in historical fiction and smart commercial women's
fiction. In non-fiction, I'm seeking self-help and inspirational memoirs.

* How can writers avoid your "Reject" pile and get into your "Pursue" pile?
I used to be an agent and a great pitch letter and a well-done proposal
always makes me want to read the entire manuscript. When I receive fiction
under submission it really helps if the manuscript comes with praise from
a well-known author. My best advice, though, is to make sure that the
manuscript is in perfect shape before it's submitted to publishers. The
writer should also try to get feedback about their manuscript from other
writers, or participate in a writing class where the other attendees will
critique their manuscript.

* Other than honing their craft, what is the smartest step writers can take to
become
successfully published?
Networking is a key factor. They should try to meet other writers, blog,
have a great website. If the person writes fiction, he or she should try to
write a short story and submit it to different publications. If he or she is
writing non-fiction, it's important to have an established media platform
before submitting the proposal. I strongly suggest taking a writing class.
Most of the time, the instructors are editors or know editors. I have received
recommendations from instructors about new writers.

* To what address should authors forward queries to you?
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th floor
NY, NY 10020
Attention: Johanna Castillo

3. Upcoming Workshops
Wisconsin Book Festival

WHAT: Agents, Publishers, and Editors Panel
Writers trying to break into the publishing world get tips from Marcela
Landres, a former editor at Simon & Schuster who is looking for the next
great Latin writer, Marlene Connor Lynch, Nichole Shields and Deborah
Coker from Conner Literary Agency in Minnesota, and J.L. Powers and Ken
Waldman from Catalyst Book Press in California. This will include a pitching
session before the presentation and breakout small groups afterwards.

WHEN: 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday, October 18th

WHERE: Wisconsin Book Festival, Harambee South Madison Health and
Family Center, 2300 South Park, Madison, WI

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org/

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Mayra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone

Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How
Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really
takes to get published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
***************************************************************
$50,000 Gift of Freedom Award
Deadline: October 31
A Room Of Her Own Foundation is dedicated to helping women artists
achieve the privacy and financial support necessary to pursue art. They
are currently accepting applications for their Gift of Freedom Grant in
poetry, playwriting, creative nonfiction, and fiction. For more information,
visit http://www.aroomofherownfoundation.org/
*****
PHONE-IN PUBLICITY SEMINARS
Date: October 26
Publicity expert Bella Stander offers seminars which includes: the
lowdown on promoting your book like a pro; Q&A session; individual
15-minute follow-up consultation; and $25 discount on first hour of
additional consulting. For more information, visit
http://www.bookpromotion101.com/
*****
MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
Deadline: October 31
Lee & Low Books, award-winning publisher of children's books, offers
the New Voices Award for a children's fiction or nonfiction picture book
story by a writer of color. For more information, visit
http://www.leeandlow.com/
*****
$60,000 HODDER FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: November 1
Princeton University offers fellowships to writers of exceptional promise
to support independent projects. Fellows are poets, novelists, creative
nonfiction writers, and translators. For more information, visit
http://www.princeton.edu/arts/fellows
*****
$10,000 TEEN WRITING AWARD
Deadline: Varies from state to state; the earliest is November 3
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards offers students in grades 7 - 12
several levels of recognition, including $10,000 scholarships for Portfolio
Gold Medalists. For more information, visit
http://www.artandwriting.org/
*****
WRITER'S DIGEST POPULAR FICTION AWARDS
Deadline: November 3
Seeking fiction in the categories of romance, mystery/crime,
sci-fi/fantasy, thriller/suspense, and horror. For more information,
visit http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/
*****
HOWARD NEMEROV SONNET AWARD
Deadline: November 15
The Howard Nemerov Sonnet Award offers $1000 and publication in
Measure: An Annual Review of Formal Poetry for a single sonnet. For
more information, visit http://theformalist.evansville.edu/
*****
DELACORTE PRESS CONTEST FOR A FIRST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL
Deadline: December 31
A book contract is awarded annually to encourage the writing of
contemporary young adult fiction. For more information, visit
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/games/delacorte.html
*****
BESTSELLING NIKKI TURNER SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
Nikki Turner, author of Black Widow and A Hustler's Wife, is seeking
short stories and full-length manuscripts for her Nikki Turner Presents
series. For more information, visit http://www.nikkiturner.com/
*****
AUDIO ISSUE OF BELTWAY POETRY QUARTERLY
Beltway Poetry's first all-audio issue includes collaborations between
poets and musicians, recordings produced over layers of sound, and
"naked" tracks of poets with distinctive voices. Contributors include
Regie Cabico, Hilary Tham, and Joel Dias-Porter. To listen, visit
http://www.beltwaypoetry.com
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel."
—Piet Mondrian

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
E-zine: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Hi--So many of the people I admire and like are on Facebook, that I've decided
to join. I invite you to become my friend so we can keep in touch. Please visit
my profile page:

http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567699306&ref=profile

Then click on "Add Marcela as my friend".

If the above link doesn't work, go to http://www.facebook.com/ and search
for "Marcela Landres". Look forward to seeing you there!

All best,
Marcela

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – September 2008: Libreria Martinez

Contents:
1. Saludos: Libreria Martinez
2. Q&A: Rueben Martinez
3. Success Story: Antonio Lopez
4. Upcoming Workshops: Wisconsin Book Festival
5. Resources: U. of CA Seeks Assistant Professor
***************************************************************
Please forward to fellow writers, both published and pre-published. Thanks!
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Many of you are likely familiar with the legendary Rueben Martinez, activist
and founder of the renowned Libreria Martinez. What you may not know is
Libreria Martinez is in danger of closing down. Read this month's Q&A with
Rueben to learn why his work is important not only to Latino writers but to
American culture at large, so much so that he was the recipient of the
prestigious MacArthur Foundation fellowship. Then please visit
http://libreriamartinez.blogspot.com/ to learn how you can help.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Barber shops are known for being the genesis of sparking new ideas. In
1993, Mr. Martinez got an idea that grew from being a customer novelty
into two full-blown businesses. Over a course of a decade, a handful of
Latino books available for a few close customers to read and buy evolved
into Libreria Martinez Books & Art Gallery and Libros Para Ninos,
recognized nationwide for showcasing the country's premiere Latino
authors and artists. In addition to managing the businesses, Mr. Martinez
is a community leader who promotes reading, education and democracy
as well as being a nationally renowned keynote speaker. Some of his
current activities and accomplishments include: Board Member of the
American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education; Founder of the
non-profit LEAP (Literacy Enrichment Achievement Plus); weekly guest
reader for "El Club de Libritos" on Univision's "Primer Edicion,"; and
recipient of Criticas Magazine's Spanish Language Community Advocate of
the Year Award. For more information, visit http://www.latinobooks.com/.

* The publishing industry has changed tremendously since you first opened
Libreria Martinez Books and Art Gallery in 1993. How have these changes
affected bookselling in general and Libreria Martinez in particular?
The super chain stores have done a lot to harm the independents but in
many ways they have also hurt themselves. The Internet . . . Amazon . . .
the decline in adult readership.

* Many Latino authors see their writing as a form of activism--do you
consider bookselling a form of activism?
Absolutely, I think so.

* What kinds of books by Latinos are doing well? What kinds of books are
being overpublished? What kinds of books by and/or for Latinos would
you like to see published in the future?
Self help, parenting books. For some reason, border town authors have
impressed me with their real heart felt stories, but these are the ones
that are overpublished. The stories are all coming to America from Mexico.

* What advice would you offer someone who is thinking of opening a
bookstore, especially one focused on Latino writers?
I would never get in the way of someone's dream. I would advise them
that these times might not be the best, but to keep researching and
continue looking for a location that has traffic. Be very involved in your
community. Be everywhere at the same time. Be that mountain that
goes to Mohammed.

* You've launched bookstores, co-founded the Latino Book & Family
Festival, and won the MacArthur Foundation Award, among many other
achievements--what's next for you?
My association with universities across the United States, especially
Chapman University. Motivational bilingual keynote speaker. TV and
radio promoting literacy and reading.

3. Success Story
"Marcela,
You can add me to your list of successful workshop alumnus to your
published list. My book, "Mediacology: A Multicultural Approach to Media
Literacy in the 21st Century," is about making media education more
relevant to Latinos (and other cultures) and the environment. I wrote a
short blog post explaining my process here:

http://mediacology.com/2008/06/02/big-news/

And created a book page with synopsis, outline, downloadable PDF and
Slidecast here:

http://mediacology.com/the-book/

I hope all is well in your world and continued success in your work!"
--Antonio Lopez
antonio@...

4. Upcoming Workshops
WHAT: Agent, Writer, Publisher Panel
Writers trying to break into the publishing world get tips from Marcela
Landres, a former editor at Simon & Schuster who is looking for the next
great Latin writer, Marlene Connors, Nichole Shields and Deborah Coker
from Conner Literary Agency in Minnesota, and J.L. Powers and Ken
Waldman from Catalyst Book Press in California. This will include a
pitching session before the presentation and breakout small groups
afterwards.

WHEN: 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday, October 18th

WHERE: Wisconsin Book Festival, Harambee, 2300 South Park, Madison, WI

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org/

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

5. Resources
***************************************************************
For more resources, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/resources.html
***************************************************************
U. OF CA SEEKS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Deadline: October 1
The University of California at Santa Cruz seeks an Assistant Professor of
Latin American and Latino Studies. For more information, visit
http://apo.ucsc.edu/ and search for position #408-09.
*****
BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL
Date: September 14
The Brooklyn Book Festival is one of America's premier literary events
featuring free adult, teen and children's programming, spirited panel
discussions and spoken word performances. Authors participating in the
Festival include Esmeralda Santiago, Alisa Valdes Rodriguez, Terry McMillan,
and Joan Didion. For more information, visit
http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/
*****
PUBLISHING AND SELF-PUBLISHING SEMINARS
Date: September 20
Nationally best selling author Karen E. Quinones Miller went from a
struggling self-published author to a successful novelist with a six figure
contract with Simon & Schuster in a matter of just six months. Topics covered
will include: how to prepare your manuscript to send to publishers; how to
write a query letter, synopsis, and book proposal; how to find a literary agent;
determining if you have what it takes to self-publish, and how to go about
publishing your own book, from obtaining an ISBN to getting your book into
stores; and how to promote your book. For seminar dates and locations visit
http://www.karenequinonesmiller.com/
*****
UNPUBLISHED NOVEL PRIZE
Deadline: September 30
The Hackney Literary Award offers a prize of $5000 for an unpublished novel.
For more information, visit http://www.writingtoday.org/
*****
WOMEN WRITERS WANTED
Deadline: September 30
WriteGirls is looking for mentors and volunteers for their creative writing
workshops and mentoring for teen girls. WriteGirl welcomes all women of
diverse professional backgrounds to join their energetic community of
writers. For more information, visit http://www.writegirl.org/
*****
CREATIVE NONFICTION AWARD
Deadline: October 1
The Mary C. Mohr Award offers $1000 and publication in Southern Indiana
Review for a work of creative nonfiction. For more information, visit
http://www.usi.edu/sir/
*****
NOVELLA CONTEST
Deadline: October 1
The Ruthanne Wiley Memorial Novella contest offers $1000 and publication
by the Cleveland State University Poetry Center. For more information, visit
http://www.csuohio.edu/poetrycenter/
*****
SEEKING BEST BOOKS OF HOLIDAY SEASON
Deadline: November 25
Grand Prize = $1500
The New England Book Festival is seeking entries for its annual program
celebrating the best books in a wide variety of categories for the holiday
season. For more information, visit
http://www.newenglandbookfestival.com/
*****
CALL FOR STORIES ABOUT MOTHERS
Deadline: November 30
Familia Books is buying stories to be collected into an anthology tentatively
titled "Wisdom of Our Mothers." Fifty percent of the profits from the book will
be donated to shelters for mothers and their children escaping from abusive
relationships. For more information, visit http://www.familiabooks.com/
*****
PAPER CUTS BLOG SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
Linda Gonzalez started writing short essays in her writing group about Paper
Cuts--all those annoying incidents that occur to middle class people of
color. She invites you to send in your own Paper Cuts and she will highlight
the "Paper Cut of the month" starting in October and send the winner a prize.
To read an example of a Paper Cut, visit
http://blog.lindagonzalez.net/?m=200711
*****
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning to
end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the trade."
—Maryra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone
Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. For more information, visit:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
*****
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
Are you ready to submit your work to agents or editors, but want a
professional to tell you how to improve it? Have friends and family read
your writing, yet you'd like feedback from a pair of fresh eyes? Did you get
rejected, and wonder what's wrong and how to fix it? I can help. For more
information, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"Progress, not perfection, is what we should be asking of ourselves"
—Julia Cameron

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Helping writers get published.

Latinidad – July/August 2008: Grand Central Publishing

Contents:
1. Saludos: Grand Central Publishing
2. Q&A: Selina McLemore
3. Success Story: Claudia Guadalupe Martinez
4. Upcoming Workshops: F1rst Pages Conference
5. Resources: Simon & Schuster Seeks Editorial Assistant
***************************************************************
Please forward to fellow writers, both published and pre-published. Thanks!
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
Grand Central Publishing (formerly known as Warner Books) has always
published Latinos, but their commitment to Latino publishing grew
exponentially when they hired Latina editor Selina McLemore last year.
In the short time she's been there, she has built a formidable list of
Latino books. Read this month's Q&A to learn what this star editor is
looking for and—if you're writing what she's seeking—how to submit
your work to her.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Selina McLemore is an Editor at Grand Central Publishing where she
focuses on Latino fiction and non-fiction. Her diverse list includes
award-winning screenwriter of Real Woman Have Curves Josefina
Lopez; Congresswomen Loretta and Linda Sanchez; International
Latino Book Award Winner Raul Ramos y Sanchez; award-winning
literary fiction author Lorraine Lopez; and Crafty Chica Kathy
Cano-Murillo. Additionally, Selina publishes top-shelf general
women's fiction and romance. Prior to Grand Central Publishing,
Selina worked at HarperCollins Publishers and Mira/Red Dress Ink.
She is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she earned
degrees in English and Spanish Literature.

* Why is Grand Central Publishing a great home for Latino writers?
GCP is a great home for all writers because we are a company that's
fully committed to our authors. We have some of the best authors in
the business, and we help make them successful by also having
some of the best publicists, art directors, marketers, editors, sales
teams, etc. in the industry. All our writers benefit, including Latino
writers. Unlike other houses, we don't segregate our Latino writers
into a separate imprint. With the exception of certain genres—
Romance, for example, has it's own program—everything is
mainstream, though we are open to additional bilingual marketing
or targeted niche promotion when it's appropriate to a specific book.

* What kinds of manuscripts are you craving at the moment?
I'm looking for up market, culturally significant commercial fiction. I
publish predominantly, though not exclusively, women's fiction, and
am always eager for more of that, but I also love big thrillers and
suspense novels. I'm also looking for beautifully written narrative
non fiction, but the key there is that the story has to be both so
unique that it could only happen to one person, and have themes
that are so universalthat almost everyone can relate. It would be
great to find a fantastic historical fiction novel—that's something I
don't see often enough.

* What kinds of manuscripts are not your cup of tea?
Much to the disappointment of my former English teachers, I know
nothing about poetry, so I don't acquire that; nor do I acquire
children's or young adult novels (despite the fact that I secretly
adore them.) Children's and YA novels are handled by Little Brown,
so those writers should inquire there. I also don't publish Christian
fiction, fantasy or science fiction.

* How can writers avoid your "Reject" pile and get into your "Pursue" pile?
First impressions are crucial so make sure your query letter and synopsis
are tight. I always look to those two items first to make sure a writer
understands the concept of a "hook," can identify conflict and crucial
plot points in her own work, and knows how to write a sentence. Also,
make sure you're paying a lot of attention to your opening chapters. It's
very important that you pick a strong scene to start your work so that
there is something compelling me to stick with your manuscript and not
pick up one of the other 50 on my desk. Finally, when creating characters,
be on the look out for cliches and stereotypes. When people first heard I
was looking for books that represented Latino culture I was flooded with
a lot of projects—from Latinos and non-Latinos alike—that were so full
of bad cliches I wanted to scream. Writers need to remember that you are
not writing about "A Latino." You're writing about an individual person
with a unique life.

* Do you welcome unagented submissions?
I welcome unagented query letters accompanied by a synopsis of no
more than two pages. Regular mail only—no emails.

* Other than honing their craft, what can writers do to improve their
chances of getting published?
Platform—it's not just for non fiction writers anymore! Anything you can
do to build up your professional platform is a plus. If you can publish
in magazines or online journals, win contests, or join writers'
organizations, that's great. But there are other less conventional ways
of building your platform too. For example, if you worked for 20 years
at a law firm and have written a courtroom drama, that can be part of
your platform. Or you could be a celebrity. That always seems to help.

* Which of your authors' upcoming books should Latinidad readers
look out for?
I have so many books coming out that I'm incredibly excited about!
First up in September 08 is DREAM IN COLOR: How the Sanchez Sisters
Are Making History in Congress by Congresswomen Loretta and Linda
Sanchez. I'm sure many of your readers already know who these two
amazing woman are, but for those who might not, they are the first
sisters to ever serve concurrently in Congress in the history of the United
States. They've written a wonderfully unconventional memoir about how
the values they learned at home from their family helped them achieve
the success they enjoy today. It's a really inspiring and entertaining read.
Then, in October 08 I have a terrific novel called THE GIFTED GABALDON
SISTERS by Lorraine Lopez. It's the story of four sisters who grow up
believing they have special "gifts" given to them by their elderly
housekeeper. Over time, they begin to question the gifts, as well as the
identity of the woman who bequeathed them, which leads to the discovery
of a long-buried family secret. The characters in this story are so terrific
that I actually found myself missing them when I finished the book. I know
your readers will love it. And in March of 2009 I'm thrilled to be publishing
the first novel by Josefina Lopez, HUNGRY WOMAN IN PARIS. Most of your
readers probably know Josefina as the writer of the hit film Real Woman
Have Curves. Now she's finally turned her talent towards novels and
written an incredible story about Canela, a journalist in L.A. who quits
her job and her relationship, runs away to Paris and enrolls in cooking
school. Josefina—who went to cooking school in Paris herself—even
includes recipes! People won't be able to just read this book—they'll
devour it!

* And, of course, the one thing all my readers want to know: how can
they submit their work to you?
Your readers are welcome to query me and send a synopsis (two pages
max) to the address below. Please no emails—even when they get through
the spam filters, I don't open anything from an address I don't recognize
no matter what is in the subject line.

Selina McLemore
Editor
Grand Central Publishing
237 Park Ave, 16th floor
New York, NY 10017

3. Success Story
"Dear Marcela,
A few years ago I found some of your resources on writing a book proposal.
I used your tips to write my proposal to Cinco Puntos Press, and I'm about
to get published in July. Thank you for providing this invaluable resource
to writers!"
Claudia Guadalupe Martinez
The Smell of Old Lady Perfume
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=694560\
12

[Note: To find the book proposal resources Claudia is referencing, visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/bookproposalbasics.html ]

4. Upcoming Workshops
F1rst Pages Conference
WHAT: The F1rst Pages Conference offers you the chance to spend the day
with and get valuable feedback from an editor or agent and some of your
writing peers, and attend workshops presented by top publishing professionals.
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, October 11
WHERE: 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850
REGISTER: Visit http://www.f1rstpages.com/conference/

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

5. Resources
***************************************************************
For more resources, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/resources.html
***************************************************************
SIMON & SCHUSTER SEEKS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic and driven individual who is eager
to learn and ready to tackle a diversity of responsibilities. 0 - 3 years
experience in publishing, preferably in children's. For more information, visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/jobs.html
*****
SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Deadline: August 1
A prize of $1000 and publication in Portland Monthly magazine will be
given annually for a short story. For more information, visit
http://www.wordstockfestival.com/
*****
YADDO RESIDENCY
Deadline: August 1
For poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Past attendees
include Julia Alvarez, Loida Maritza Perez and Paul Auster. Artists from
all nations and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. For more
information, visit http://www.yaddo.org/
*****
SINGLE POEM AWARD
Deadline: August 30
A prize of $1000 and publication in Margie: The American Journal of Poetry
is given for a single poem. For more information, visit
http://www.margiereview.com/
*****
LATINO TV WRITERS PROGRAM
Deadline: September 2
For writers who can create at least one half-hour comedy or one-hour
dramatic television script in English within five-weeks. Those writers whose
scripts show promise will be mentored by network executives with the
idea of placing them on a show. For more information, visit
http://www.nhmc.org/writers/
*****
PEN EMERGING VOICES ROSENTHAL FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: September 5
Fellowships of $1000 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and
creative nonfiction writers from minority, immigrant, or underserved
communities. For more information, visit http://penusa.org/go/voices/
*****
POWER OF WORDS CONFERENCE
Dates: September 12-15
Features readings, roundtable discussions, and workshops in poetry and
fiction. Faculty includes Walter Mosley. For more information, visit
http://www.goddard.edu/powerofwords
*****
FICTION WRITING WORKSHOP FOR PHYSICIANS
Deadline: October 24-26
Designed to give aspiring physician authors practical training on how to
write and publish medical fiction. Taught by best-selling authors Michael
Palmer and Tess Gerritsen. For more information, visit
http://www.seak.com/semmfw08.htm
*****
WOMEN WRITING THE WEST CONFERENCE
Dates: October 24-26
Panels on "Getting Books Made into TV Shows and Movies," "Researching
and Writing Small Town and Regional Town Histories" are on the program,
as well as workshops on creative nonfiction and writing historical
mysteries. For more information, visit
http://www.womenwritingthewest.org/
*****
LATINO BOOK AND FAMILY FESTIVAL SEEKS AUTHORS
Dates: November 8th-9th, Chicago, IL
The Festival offers authors a booth to sell and promote their books, an
opportunity to make a presentation on one of their stages, as well as
access to local media. Because they are a non-profit, they cannot reimburse
travel or hotel costs. Interested writers should contact Yvette A. Soto at
ysoto@.... For more information, visit http://www.lbff.us/
*****
HOW EDITORS THINK
"I read How Editors Think in one sitting and was engaged from beginning
to end. It is well written, highly informative, and humorous—I found myself
laughing out-loud in a few spots! Thanks for sharing the secrets of the
trade."—Maryra Lazara Dole, author of Down to the Bone
Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How
Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really
takes to get published. For more information, visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
*****
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
Are you ready to submit your work to agents or editors, but want a
professional to tell you how to improve it? Have friends and family read
your writing, yet you'd like feedback from a pair of fresh eyes? Did you get
rejected, and wonder what's wrong and how to fix it? I can help. For more
information, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
***************************************************************
"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket."—Chinese Proverb

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Helping writers get published.

Latino Lit Article in Writer's Digest Magazine

Hi--The August 2008 issue of Writer's Digest magazine features an article
on Latino Lit by Michael Vaughn in its On the Edge column. Below is a
short excerpt; support the media's interest in Latino writers by buying a
copy of the magazine and reading the article in full! And if you like it,
e-mail Writer's Digest magazine and tell them you want to see more
articles about Latino writers in the future.

To buy the August 2008 issue:
http://www.fwmagazines.com/product/1114/10

To e-mail Writer's Digest magazine:
writersdig@...

Latino Lit article excerpt:

"For American publishers, 1989 was the year of the Ethnic Explosion,
featuring not one by two mega-sellers geared toward minority cultures:
Amy Tan's Chinese-American The Joy Luck Club and Laura Esquivel's
Mexican-centered Like Water for Chocolate. Tan's achievement was
extraordinary enough, but Esquivel's book, translated from Spanish,
tapped into America's largest minority market, a market that currently
makes up 15 percent of the U.S. population and offers 45 million
potential readers. Publishers began referring to this Latino market as
"The Sleeping Giant," and it wasn't just Esquivel's recipes that were
making them salivate. The industry pursuit that followed was largely a
failure, for lots of tricky and multifaceted reasons. A good person to
offer an explanation is Marcela Landres, daughter of Ecuadorian
immigrants and former Simon & Schuster editor, who now works as a
career consultant specializing in Latino authors. Landres bases her
view not on Tan or Esquivel, but on African-American author Terry
McMillan and her 1992 breakthrough novel, Waiting to Exhale."

***********************************************************
To read other articles for which I've been interviewed, visit
http://www.marcelalandres.com/articles.html
***********************************************************

Helping writers get published,
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Hi--The Publishing Lab at Columbia College in Chicago created a short
video interview of me giving advice on how to get published. If you
haven't had a chance to attend one of my workshops, the video will
give you a taste of what they're like. You can check it out by visiting:

http://www.colum.edu/Academics/Fiction_Writing/Publishing_Lab/Movie_Clips.php

If this link doesn't work, try http://www.colum.edu/publishinglab and
click on "Lab Multimedia". Enjoy!

Helping writers get published,
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Latinidad – June 2008: Lambda Literary Foundation's Writers Retreat

Contents:
1. Saludos: Lambda Literary Foundation's Writers Retreat
2. Q&A: Charles Flowers
3. Upcoming Workshops: Wake Up Call Workshop
4. Resources: NALAC Fund for the Arts
***************************************************************
Please forward to fellow writers, both published and pre-published. Thanks!
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
June is Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. In honor of the many contributions gay
and lesbian writers have made to literature, this issue highlights the Lambda
Literary Foundation's Writers Retreat, a unique program that may very well
nurture the next wave of LGBT writers. Check out the Q&A with Executive
Director Charles Flowers to learn more.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
A fifteen year-plus veteran of publishing and arts administration, Charles
Flowers is the Executive Director of the Lambda Literary Foundation. He
has served as the co-chair of the Publishing Triangle, was Associate
Director of the Academy of American Poets, and is the co-author of
Golden Men: The Power of Gay Midlife (with Harold Kooden, Ph.D.). His
poems have appeared in Gulf Coast, Barrow Street, Indiana Review, and
Puerto del Sol. Flowers is also the founding editor of BLOOM, a journal for
lesbian and gay writing that Edmund White has called "the most exciting
new queer literary publication to emerge in years." For more information
about the Lambda Literary Foundation, visit
http://www.lambdaliterary.org/.

* What inspired you to create the Lambda Literary Foundation's Writers
Retreat?
The Writers Retreat has been a long time goal of several board members of
the Lambda Literary Foundation, especially Katherine V. Forrest, our Board
President, who wanted to create a peer network for emerging writers, one
that she didn't have when she started writing in her early 40s. Personally,
I had been impressed by the work of Cave Canem, a retreat/workshop for
African American poets (http://www.cavecanempoets.org/), and Kundiman,
a workshop for Asian American poets (http://www.kundiman.org/). From
their success, I knew that an identity-based writers retreat could succeed
and provide a real service to the community.

* Which categories of writing does the Retreat accept and which categories
of writing does the Retreat not accept?
Currently, we offer workshops in three categories: poetry, fiction, and
creative nonfiction. This year, we've expanded to two fiction workshops,
one general (taught by Elana Dykewomon) and one more focused on genre
fiction (taught by the legendary mystery writer Claire McNab). D.A. Powell
will be teaching the poetry workshop, while Rigoberto Gonzalez will be
teaching creative nonfiction. We've had requests and are considering some
form of dramatic writing (play, screenplay, etc.), perhaps for the future.

* Does the Retreat target writers at any level of their career, including
beginning writers?
The Retreat focuses on "emerging" writers, and by that we mean where they
are in their writing career, not their chronological age—our students last
year ranged from their 20s to their 50s. Some had MFAs, others didn't.
Three or four had published first books, or were about to.

* What will attendees gain from the experience of attending the Retreat?
In addition to workshops with amazing writers, they will have an opportunity
to build community with writers at their same level, which will later offer
support and strength to them. They'll also have access to a series of craft
lectures by Katherine V. Forrest, who, in addition to being an
award-winning writer, is a fabulous editor. There will also be readings by
the faculty and guest writers, as well as a Fellows reading where they (the
students) can share their work with the community.

* How can applicants best improve their chances of acceptance?
Send in your best work, and if you get wait-listed, please reapply—we have
limited space, and we see this retreat as building over time, so if you don't
get it the first time, don't despair.

3. Upcoming Workshops
Wake Up Call Workshop *

WHAT: Do you think honing your craft is the key to getting published?
Think again! If you want to understand why editors choose to publish
certain writers and reject the rest, learn how they think. Topics discussed
include: the three most common mistakes writers make when trying to get
published; the two most important jobs of an editor (editing isn't one of
them!); and the number one quality editors look for in a writer.

* Marcela Landres will also provide twenty-minute one-on-one
consultations with writers.

WHEN: Saturday, June 14, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

WHERE: The Standard Hotel, 40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

REGISTER: Visit http://biscaynewriters.com/clients/?cat=16

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
For more resources, please visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/.
***************************************************************
NALAC FUND FOR THE ARTS
Deadline: June 16
The purpose of the NFA is to provide financial support to Latino working
artists—including writers—and small and mid-sized Latino arts
organizations in communities across the country. For more information,
visit http://www.nalac.org/ while interested individuals should email Elisa
Gonzales at grantmanager@....
*****
TALLER DE PROYECTOS CREATIVOS
First class: June 7
This writing workshop is geared towards Spanish language writers
interested in learning the fundamentals of literature with an emphasis on
Latin-American works. Ten classes take place on Saturdays from 11am –
2pm at Caliope Bookstore at 170 Dyckman Street, New York, NY. The
instructor is Angel Lozada, author of NO QUIERO QUEDARME SOLA Y VACIA
(Isla Negra, 2006), LA PATOGRAFIA (Planeta, 1998), and LAS SIETE
PALABRAS (Líneas Aéreas: Lengua de Trapo, 1999). The cost of the class
is $100 plus books; to register call 212-567-3511.
*****
BROOKLYN SNAP LIT MATCH
Deadline: June 13
The Brooklyn Book Festival is seeking stories, poems, essays, and spoken
word raps from Brooklyn writers 14-19 years of age. For more information,
visit http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/Press/2008/apr24a.htm
*****
THE CREATIVE BODY
Application Deadline: July 1
Dates: August 10-16
This writer's retreat in Mexico combines yoga, journaling and writing
exercises, and an introduction to Mexican literature and culture through
field trips. For more information, visit
http://toltecatlwritingworkshops.vox.com/.
*****
THRILLERFEST
July 9-12
Mix and mingle with your favorite authors including Sandra Brown, James
Patterson, Kathy Reichs, among others. Includes Craftfest, where you can
hone your writing skills with some of the most successful authors in the
business, and Agentfest where you can pitch your work one-on-one to
dozens of literary agents. For more information, visit
http://www.thrillerwriters.org/.
*****
QUEENS COUNCIL ON THE ARTS LITERARY FELLOWSHIP
The Roger Madoff Literary Fellowship offers a cash award, art services, a
year's residency at The Writer's Room, and participation in readings,
literary events, roundtable discussion groups with other emerging writers
and the opportunity to mentor future Fellows. For more information,
contact Chris Henderson at 347-505-3017 or
chenderson@....
*****
LAS COMADRES BOOK CLUB
Las Comadres in cooperation with the Association of American Publishers
and Borders has announced the launch of a book club at select Borders stores
around the nation. Membership is open to anyone interested in reading
English-language works written by Latina or Latino authors. For more
information, visit http://www.lascomadres.org/ or
http://www.bordersstores.com/.
*****
SELF PUBLISHING PAMPHLET
Karen Quinones Miller self-published her first novel, Satin Doll, and
within eight months sold 28,000 copies on her own before selling the rights
to Simon & Schuster. Since then she's become a renown expert on
self-publishing, and for the first time her invaluable advice is available in
her Self Publishing Pamphlet. Topics covered include how to: set up your
publishing company; obtain ISBNs and barcodes; do your own typesetting;
and much more. For more information, visit
http://www.selfpublishingsite.com/.
*****
THE SLIPPERY ART OF BOOK REVIEWING
Are you passionate about books? Do you dream of becoming a book
reviewer? Are you curious about the influence reviews have on readers,
booksellers, and librarians? The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing will teach
you everything you need to know, from how to write them to understanding
their influence. For more information, visit http://www.mayracalvani.com/.
*****
HER WILL HIS WAY
After her husband's infidelity ends their ten-year marriage, Anita Perez is
more than happy to take over her late grandfather's flower shop in the
Rio Grande valley. However, she doesn't speak Spanish, which is something
her grandmother's sexy neighbor, Antonio Hernandez, feels the need to
remind her of on a daily basis. Antonio has loved Anita for as long as he
can remember and will stop at nothing to win her heart. But his plan may
backfire if she finds out his secret. For more information, visit
http://www.terrimolina.com/.
*****
HOW EDITORS THINK E-BOOK
Inspired by my experience as a former Simon & Schuster editor, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You reveals what it really takes to get
published. If you want to understand why editors choose to publish certain
writers and reject the rest, learn how they think. Topics discussed include:
the three most common mistakes writers make when trying to get published;
the two most important jobs of an editor (editing isn't one of them!); and the
number one quality editors look for in a writer. Available exclusively at:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html
*****
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
Are you ready to submit your work to agents or editors, but want a
professional to tell you how to improve it? Have friends and family read
your writing, yet you'd like feedback from a pair of fresh eyes? Did you get
rejected, and wonder what's wrong and how to fix it? I can help. For more
information, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/services.html
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
Want to see your announcement in an upcoming issue of Latinidad? Just
e-mail me at marcelalandres@....
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/.
*****
MORE ABOUT LATINIDAD®
To subscribe, read past issues, update your e-mail address, or unsubscribe,
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/.
***************************************************************
"An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all."
--Oscar Wilde

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Author of the e-book How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You

Hi--I'm delighted to announce the publication of my e-book, How Editors
Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You. As a special gift to Latinidad
readers, How Editors Think is available at the discounted rate of $9.99
until Sunday May 18th. After that, the price will go up to $19.95. In order
to receive the discount, visit the e-book page of my web site:

http://www.marcelalandres.com/E-book.html

Click on either the e-book cover or the text link for How Editors Think;
when you arrive at the Checkout page, type the word "empowerment" in
the "Coupon/Promotional Code" box then press the "Apply" button. Here's
a description of what's in the e-book:

"Do you think editors spend their days reading manuscripts? Think again!
If you want to understand why editors choose to publish certain writers
and reject the rest, learn how they think. Topics discussed include: the
three most common mistakes writers make when trying to get published;
the two most important jobs of an editor (editing isn't one of them!); and
the number one quality editors look for in a writer. Based on the popular
workshop of the same name."

I wrote How Editors Think with the intention of empowering writers to
make better choices; please e-mail me at marcelalandres@...
and tell me what you think!

Helping writers get published,
Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/

Latinidad – May 2008: Latino Books Month

Contents:
1. Saludos: Latino Books Month
2. Q&A: Tina Jordan
3. Upcoming Workshops: How to Get Published Panel
4. Resources: Agent Seeking YA Latino Writers
***************************************************************
Please forward to fellow writers, both published and pre-published. Thanks!
***************************************************************
1. Saludos
May is Latino Books Month. While Latino writers should be celebrated every
month of the year, Latino Books Month represents an opportunity to
spotlight the contributions Latinos make to our literary culture at large.
This month, don't just celebrate Latino authors—support them. Read this
month's Q&A with Tina Jordan to learn how.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

2. Q&A
Tina Jordan has held the position of Vice President of the Association of
American Publishers since 2006 and resides in the New York office. Among
her responsibilities are the activities of the Trade Publishers Committee,
the Smaller and Independent Publishers Group, Library Marketing, the Get
Caught Reading/Aja Leyendo literacy campaign, diversity in publishing
efforts, and the Association's educational programs. Prior to her position
at the AAP, she held the position of Director of Public Relations and
Special Events for BookExpo America, the national book convention, from
1997-2006. A native of Connecticut and a graduate of Cornell University,
Ms. Jordan is also an avid skier and rock climber. She can be reached at
tjordan@....

* For my readers who may not be familiar with the wonderful AAP, could
you briefly describe its mission?
The AAP is the national trade organization for the nation's book publishing
community. Its over 300 members focus on such concerns as copyright
protection; first amendment/freedom of speech; literacy via our Get Caught
Reading web site that features celebrities getting caught reading their
favorite books; hiring and recruiting a diverse publishing workforce to
reflect our culture; educational publishing; and working with booksellers,
librarians, and educators on heightening awareness of the joys of good
books and new and upcoming works, to name just a few!

* What inspired the AAP to launch Latino Books Month?
Latino Books Month was created via the AAP's Publishing Latino Voices of
America subcommittee in its efforts to heighten the richness of works
both in English and Spanish written by those of Hispanic descent. The
breadth and depth of works in fiction and nonfiction, English and Spanish
for adults and children for the Latino community is endless, and we wanted
to ensure that all citizens have access to learn about such fabulous titles
that are available to them, stories with which they can relate, and stories
which inspire.

According to the results of a poll last year commissioned by the National
Council of La Raza, the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy
organization in the U.S., education is the most important issue for
Hispanic voters. 1,026 registered Latino voters polled found that the
high 85% dropout rate among Latino students is the greatest
educational problem for the Latino community in the US. The high
dropout rate concerns more Latino voters than other important problems
like the "poor English-language skills of immigrant students" and the
"poor quality of some teachers." 89% say improving public education
should be a "very important priority" for the next President.

The best way to lobby for improved education starts by encouraging
children to start feeding their brain with books at a young age. How they
are educated early on, and active parental involvement--reading to
children--are clear indicators of future success in school, college, and
careers into adulthood.

Recent census data shows not only does the Latino population continue to
be the fastest growing in the U.S., but there are over 9.5 million Hispanic
families residing in the U.S.--over twenty two percent of all children under
age five in the U.S. are Hispanic. Our goal is to help ensure that the
availability of books by and for Latinos continues to grow so that all
Americans, English and Spanish speaking, Latino and non-Latino, have
access to them.

* How can Latino writers and their fans help support Latino Books Month?
Writers should encourage their publishers to submit their titles for our
recommended reading list, which we develop each May in concert with
Latino Books Month, and in September in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage
Month, a list which we distribute to librarians, booksellers and educators
throughout the nation to share upcoming titles available to the public. We
also have our Aja! Leyendo campaign, a series of posters of celebrities
Getting Caught Reading their favorite books in Spanish, which citizens can
order at no charge via our web site at http://www.getcaughtreading.org/
to complement any book events they may be hosting. They are also
encouraged to contact their local schools to do an author visit, and should
they be interested in partnering with a public high school or elementary
school in New York to speak on a pro bono basis with schoolage children
about the art of writing, please contact me at tjordan@....

* Which other programs for Latinos has the AAP created?
The list is long--I hope I can mention them all! We are working with Las
Comadres Para Las Americas, a network of over 7,000 Latinas nationwide in
chapters across the country (visit http://www.lascomadres.org/) in
teleconferences featuring authors being interviewed for their members. We
also hope to launch a live book club with Borders soon.

In addition, we are celebrating the national Dia De Los Ninos on April 30th,
an event produced by the Association for Library Service to Children, a
division of the American Library Association, that brings attention to the
love of books and reading for children of all cultures and in all languages,
intended to be celebrated all month long. Our Latino Voices Group also
published a recommended children's reading list in cooperation with ALSC,
and it can be found on our Get Caught Reading web site at
http://www.getcaughtreading.org/. Events are planned in libraries across
the country and they can be found on the Dia site at
  http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/diadelosninos/diadelosninos.cfm

Finally, we also have our Latino Voices Brochure that is hot off the presses
for Latino Books Month with new titles for the 2008-2009, so there is no
shortage of information on new books coming out, both English and
Spanish, for the Latino community of all ages. If readers would like a copy,
please email Katie Ly at kly@....

3. Upcoming Workshops
How to Get Published Panel

WHAT: An expert panel of literary agents, publishers, and established writers
discusses the dynamics of the publishing industry and offers strategic advice
for literary artists. The panel will provide a critical review of pre-selected
pitches from the participants.

WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Creek and The Cave, 10-93 Jackson Ave.,
Long Island City, NY

WHO: Moderated by Marcela Landres; list of panelists TK.

PITCH SUBMISSION: To submit your pitch for critique at the workshop,
please send a typed cover letter and literary pitch to: Independence Arts
Builds Community Submissions, Queens Council on the Arts, One Forest
Park at Oak Ridge, Woodhaven, NY 11421-1166, or via email to:
chenderson@.... Submissions should be based on an
existing work you hope to get published. Only a limited number of
submissions will be discussed at the workshop. A submission is not
required for registration.

REGISTER: Admission is free. Registration is required. Space is limited.
To register, please email your name, address, telephone number, and
artistic discipline to chenderson@....

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/requestaworkshop.html
List of upcoming workshops:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/Workshops.html

4. Resources
***************************************************************
For more resources, please visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/.
***************************************************************
AGENT SEEKING YA LATINO WRITERS
Literary agent Jennifer Lyons is looking for submissions by Latinos writing
Young Adult books. She is representing the editor of series for an imprint
with a major publisher and helping to gather materials. Interested people
can mail her at: Jennifer Lyons, Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, LLC, 151
West 19th Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10011. For more information
about Jennifer Lyons, visit http://www.jenniferlyonsliteraryagency.com/.
*****
BOOK PROMOTION 101 FOR AUTHORS
Registration deadline: May 10
Date: May 17
Location: New York, NY
Bella Stander and top-notch publicists, media trainers and recently
published authors provide real-world advice and tips in an intimate,
lively, and collegial forum. Class size is limited to eight, so there is
abundant individual attention and in-depth discussion. For more
information, visit: http://www.bookpromotion101.com/bp101/.
*****
SEEKING WOMEN OF COLOR FILMMAKERS
Deadline: May 15
The F-Word is designed for women of color 18 years of age and over with
an interest in becoming storytellers/filmmakers. We welcome women from
all perspectives and backgrounds (age, sexual orientation, class, religion,
national origin). For more information, visit
http://www.chicaluna.com/fword.php.
*****
ONLINE AUCTION FOR WRITERS
Deadline: May 31
Bid on opportunities for writers, including reads with a 24-hour response
from top agents and editors; meet and greets with agents, editors, and
bestselling authors; mentoring packages with bestselling authors;
professional editing; and much more. Proceeds will benefit diabetes
research. For more information, visit http://www.brendanovak.com/.
*****
TEACHERS & WRITERS FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: July 7
Fellowships offer early-career writers a $10,000 stipend, office space, and
opportunities to meet with experienced professionals from publishing,
literary arts, theater, or other fields related to the Fellow's work. For
more information, visit http://www.twc.org/about/tw-fellowship.
*****
THINKING OF APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOL?
Project 1000 is a free national program created to assist underrepresented
students applying to graduate school. Students may apply to up to seven
  of the over 88 participating Project 1000 institutions--including those
with creative writing programs--by using one application. For more
information, visit http://mati.eas.asu.edu:8421/p1000/.
*****
LATINOLIFE.COM SEEKS WRITERS
Latinolife.com, an upcoming online magazine featuring all things Latino in
New York City, is currently seeking writers. No pay is available at this time,
but tickets to shows, free albums, and free meals can be provided to
reviewers. Students will receive school credit. Interested writers should
email a brief bio, resume, and writing samples to
stephanie.nolasco@....
*****
SPANISH CHILDREN'S BOOK PODCAST
Cody's Cuentos features podcasts of classic fairy tales in Spanish, a
wonderful way for parents and educators to present these stories to
children. It's also a great way for adults who are students of Spanish to
improve their listening comprehension. Authors of children's books in
Spanish who would like to do a reading of their work are welcome. For
more information, visit http://www.codyscuentos.com/.
*****
ROGELIA'S HOUSE OF MAGIC TRAILER
3 Very Different Girls, 1 Wise Mentor, A Summer They'll Never Forget
"Charming and magical . . . captures the essence and beauty of Latina
girl friendships."--Josefina Lopez, Real Women Have Curves. To see the
trailer, visit http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=i4m7izCxVrA and to learn more
about author Jamie Martinez Wood, visit http://www.jamiewood.com/.
*****
AMBIENTE MAGAZINE
Ambiente Magazine is a free monthly bilingual Hispanic LGBT publication
with over 30,000 loyal readers. Ambiente covers Hispanic art, style,
politics, health, sports, community activist information and interviews,
thought-provoking articles by contributing writers from around the globe,
cultural and entertainment news. For more information, visit
http://www.ambiente.us/.
*****
BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT
Are you ready to submit your work to agents or editors, but want a
professional to tell you how to improve it? Have friends and family read
your writing, yet you'd like feedback from a pair of fresh eyes? Did you get
rejected, and wonder what's wrong and how to fix it? I can help. For more
information, visit http://www.marcelalandres.com/ and click on Services.
*****
SPREAD THE WORD
E-mail announcements about contests, calls for submissions, jobs, book
publications, literary events, etc., to marcelalandres@....
*****
NOMINATE WWW.MARCELALANDRES.COM
If you like my web site, please nominate it for next year's Writer's Digest
Magazine's "The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers" list. Send nominations to
writersdig@... with "101 Best Web Sites" as the subject line and a
brief note explaining how http://www.marcelalandres.com/ has helped you.
Thank you in advance for your support!
*****
SUBSCRIBE
Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/ and click the
"Join This Group!" button.
*****
READ PAST ISSUES
Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/ and click on Messages.
*****
UPDATE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS
Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/ and click on
"Edit Membership."
*****
REPRINTS
You are welcome to reprint portions of Latinidad®; please credit
Latinidad® and include a link to http://www.marcelalandres.com/.
***************************************************************
"Language is a social event."—Richard Rodriguez

Latinidad® © 2003 by Marcela Landres

Marcela Landres
Editorial Consultant
Helping writers get published.
718-208-5810
marcelalandres@...
http://www.marcelalandres.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/
Writer's Digest 101 Best Web Sites for Writers